It is with profound sadness that we learnt of the death of Sternford Moyo on 5 July 2024.
Sternford was a man of great courage and integrity and will be sorely missed by those who knew him.
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, including as Council Member; Management Board Member; Chair of the African Regional Forum and later Advisory Board Member of the same; Deputy Secretary-General for Southern Africa; Trustee of the IBA-established Southern Africa Litigation Centre; and Trustee of the IBA-founded eyeWitness to Atrocities. He had also been a member of the IBA Task Force on Illicit Financial Flows, Poverty and Human Rights.
Beyond the IBA, Sternford was Senior Partner and Chairman of the law firm Scanlen & Holderness in Zimbabwe and had held leadership positions as President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and President of the Southern African Development Community Lawyers' Association (SADCLA). 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.
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.
Our condolences, prayers and thoughts are with Sternford's family, friends, colleagues and the many people across the world who had the very good fortune to know him.
Faithfully yours,
Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama
IBA President
Dr Mark Ellis
IBA Executive Director
