By Kaundjire Humbu
Former chief justice Johan Strydom has been remembered as a key architect of Namibia’s post-independence judiciary, with senior legal figures crediting him for helping shape the country’s constitutional order and jurisprudence.
Strydom, who died on September 25 at 88, was honoured yesterday at a valedictory court recently.
Chief justice Peter Shivute said Strydom devoted close to four decades to justice and played a vital role in transforming the judiciary during Namibia’s transition to independence.
Born in Otjiwarongo on 17 June 1938, Strydom studied at Otjiwarongo High School before obtaining bachelor of arts and bachelor of laws (LLB) degrees from Stellenbosch University between 1959 and 1963.
He began as a prosecutor, later practised as an advocate and was appointed senior counsel in 1982.
He joined the bench in 1983 and, shortly after Independence, became acting judge-president of the high court in March 1990. His appointment became permanent in 1991.
In March 1999, he became Namibia’s third chief justice, succeeding chief justice Ishmail Mohamed.
He served until his retirement in June 2003, but continued as an acting supreme court judge until 2015, bringing his judicial service to about 38 years.
Shivute said Strydom helped transform a judiciary inherited from a rights-repressing system into one grounded in the rule of law and judicial independence. His judgments established precedents that were respected in Namibia and followed in other jurisdictions.
Attorney-general said Strydom was committed to the aspirations and values of the Namibian Constitution and was among the architects of the post-independence judiciary.
Several landmark judgments were highlighted.
In Namunjepo and Others v Commanding Officer, Windhoek prison, Strydom found the use of leg chains on incarcerated accused persons to be humiliating and inconsistent with the right to dignity.
In Myburgh v Commercial Bank of Namibia, the supreme court reinforced constitutional equality protections, while chairperson of the Immigration Selection Board v Frank and Another strengthened principles governing administrative action and the duty to give reasons.
In Government of the Republic of Namibia v Mwilima and Others, the court emphasised the State’s duty to ensure indigent litigants receive legal representation where necessary to prevent injustice.
His public service also extended beyond the courts. Strydom chaired the first Electoral Commission and First Delimitation Commission and served as chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission.
Law Society of Namibia vice-chairperson Janike McLeod-Janser said Strydom helped build and shape Namibia’s justice institutions and contributed to the development of its law.
She said he was remembered not only for his judicial record but also as humble, patient, considerate and approachable.
Shivute similarly described him as calm, unassuming and a keen listener who readily shared his experience.
McLeod-Janser said the profession should honour his legacy by upholding the rule of law, judicial independence, integrity and service.
