Moyo had held leadership positions as President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, President of the Southern African Development Community Lawyers’ Association (SADCLA) and President of the International Bar Association (IBA). In the corporate world he had held chairperson roles at Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited, Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited and Delta Corporation and was recognised for his contributions to commercial, corporate and mining law.
“Sternford was a man of great courage and integrity and will be sorely missed by those who knew him,” said a statement from the IBA. ”The immediate past President of the IBA, Sternford took up tenure in 2021 at a critical time for the Association. Also a former Co-Chair of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), his commitment to the Association, to the protection and promotion of the rule of law, and to defending human rights was unwavering.
“The immense contribution that Sternford made to the IBA is impossible to sum up, but the number of senior roles he held and their breadth provide indication of the time, effort and commitment he gave to the IBA.
“Quiet and unassuming, Sternford’s legal prowess was also recognised by the United States Information Services, which selected him to participate in a programme to familiarise young African leaders with the American legal system and its background. An inspirational figure, admired and liked by so many, his departing is a big loss for our IBA and IBAHRI families. We sadly pay tribute to the first IBA President of African lineage who only recently celebrated being admitted in 2022 as a Freeman of the City of London in recognition of his devotion to the rule of law,” the statement concluded.
“Unafraid to speak truth to power, Mr Moyo modeled old school, traditional lawyering which has become increasingly rare today,” said Fadzayi Mahere, a constitutional lawyer in Zimbabwe, in a LinkedIn post. “He nurtured and mentored many lawyers, some of whom have become judges and icons in their own right … He readily gave one a pat on the back when one did well and was equally ready to call nonsense out ... In many spheres he was the gold standard of how to be a lawyer.”
“The whole team at Africa Legal is devastated to hear of the passing of one of Zimbabwe’s biggest legal characters, Sternford Moyo, an inspirational lawyer dedicated to driving legal excellence. We pass on our condolences to his whole family and the team at Scanlen and Holderness Legal Practitioners,” said Scott Cowan, CEO and co-founder of Africa Legal.
To join Africa Legal's mailing list please click here