By Koviao Matuzee
Vezemboua Zamuee has turned a childhood dream into a legal career, becoming an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia in June 2026. From being raised on a small farm by her grandmother to navigating law school and the legal profession.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A:My name is Vezemboua Zamuee an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia. I was born in Okahandja, but I was raised by my grandmother, Magdalena Hukununa, on a small farm called Otjozondu, where I also attended primary school. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away at the end of 2012, and I had to navigate the final year of my primary education largely on my own. 2013 was undoubtedly one of the most difficult years of my life, but it was also a year that shaped me in many ways. It taught me resilience, independence and, most importantly, strengthened my faith in God. I was also fortunate to have grown up in a close-knit community where people genuinely looked out for one another. In 2014, I relocated to Windhoek and began high school at Windhoek Technical High School, where I completed Grade 12 in 2018.
In 2019, I began law school at the University of Namibia. Interestingly, getting into law school was not as straightforward as I had hoped. I was initially not admitted because of space. When we returned to UNAM at the beginning of the year, however, I was fortunate enough to secure a place. I remember telling my mother (Juanita Kauapirura) and sister (Maria Simon) that if I did not get into law school, I would rather enrol at NAMCOL than study something I did not genuinely want to pursue. Law had been my dream, and I was determined to pursue it. My four years at university went relatively smoothly, despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to online learning. If anything, the pandemic strengthened my ability to work independently, manage my time and remain self-motivated. In 2023, aft er completing my LLB, I enrolled at the Justice Training Centre (JTC). At that stage, I was still trying to figure out exactly what I wanted my career in law to look like. JTC gave me valuable practical exposure and helped bridge the gap between studying law and actually practising it. I had never been one for study groups, but it was during this period that I became a part of one (with Iyishi Garises and Vendjihonga Katjaimo) and I honestly do not think I would have navigated that period in quite the same way without them.
I completed my JTC modules and subsequently completed thepractical requirements. I was admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia on 05 June 2026, which was an incredibly meaningful milestone for me.
began my first job in the legal profession in 2024 as a candidate legal practitioner at Thomas Andima & Co Inc were I worked alongside Thomas Andima, Kamutuua Black and Tuarirovangu Kasirua. Starting my first job was both exciting and intimidating. One of the most daunting aspects was appearing in court and having the responsibility of representing people. Looking back, I realise that much of the fear came from simply being unfamiliar with the environment. I certainly have not mastered everything, and I am still learning every day, but with experience, the fear has gradually been replaced by confidence. Having colleagues that challenged me intellectually and that I could learn from also helped a great deal.
Q: What inspired you to pursue law at such a young age?
A: To be completely honest, I cannot pinpoint one particular moment or person who inspired me to become a lawyer. I simply remember wanting to be a lawyer ever since I was nine (9). Growing up, I was also quite talkative and argumentative, and people would oft en joke that I should become a lawyer. Perhaps that played a part in my decision. I was surrounded by people who constantly spoke life into me. My teachers and family always believed in me and encouraged me to believe that I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to.
Q: What does becoming a lawyer mean to you personally?
A: Becoming a lawyer means the realisation of a dream I have carried since childhood. It is an absolute blessing and something I do not take for granted. The journey has not always been rainbows and sunshine, but every challenge has contributed to the person and professional I am becoming. I genuinely cannot imagine myself doing anything else. For me, becoming a lawyer is therefore more than obtaining a qualification. It represents perseverance, answered prayers, the support of the people who believed in me, and the fulfilment of something I once only imagined as a nine year old girl. This is what I chose, this is what I worked for and this is where I believe I am meant to be.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge studying law?
A: The interesting thing is that studying law wasn’t difficult at all. Once I was admitted to law school, everything just fell into place.
Q: What keeps you motivated when the journey gets difficult?
A: My passion for what I do is one of the main things that keeps me motivated. I am also motivated by my determination to improve the quality of my life and to make the most of the opportunities I have been given. My family and friends play a signifi cant role as well. My father, Patric Zamuee, has sacrifi ced so much to ensure that my dreams became a reality.I also wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of Diana Vekarapi and Mamie Zamuee. I have been blessed to have people around me who believed in me long before I fully understood what my own potential was or even knew what the word potential was and meant. Knowing that there are people who believe in you can give you the strength to keep going, even when you temporarily lose confidence in yourself. Above all, my faith keeps me grounded. I have learned that I do not always have to know exactly how everything will work out. Sometimes I simply have to do my part, remain faithful and trust God with the rest.
Q: Which area of law interests you most, and why?
A: I am still figuring that out. I am currently employed at Thomas Andima & Co Inc, where we deal with a broad range of legal matters. Th is has given me the privilege of being exposed to different areas of law and of getting my hands into a little bit of everything. However, at this stage, I would not say that one particular area interests me more than another. I think what interests me most is the opportunity to help people. Law affects almost every aspect of people’s lives, whether it concerns their employment, family, property, businesses or their freedom. Being in a position where I can use my knowledge to help someone understand their rights, navigate a difficult situation or find a legal solution is what gives the work meaning for me. Perhaps with time and further exposure, I will find a particular area that I want to specialise in. For now, I am enjoying the opportunity to learn as much as I can.
Q: What change do you hope to bring through your legal career?
A: One of the biggest changes I would like to contribute towards is taking the law to the people. Many people do not know their rights or do not know where to go when those rights are violated. I have witnessed this first-hand, nd it has made me realise how important legal awareness and accessibility are. I would like to contribute to closing that gap by helping people understand the law in a way that is accessible and practical. The law should not feel like something that only belongs to lawyers or exists inside courtrooms. People should understand their basic rights and know that they are entitled to seek legal assistance when they need it.
Q: How do you balance your work with your personal life?
A: Time management is crucial. I try to plan ahead as much as possible and, while I am at work, I give my work my full attention. At the same time, I have learned that rest and having a life outside of work are equally important. When I get home, unless something genuinely requires my immediate attention, I try to switch off from work and dedicate time to my personal interests, family, friends and myself.
Q: What advice would you give to other young girls considering law?
A: If becoming a lawyer is your dream, go for it, but understand that you will have to work for it. There is nothing you cannot achieve if you are willing to put in the work and remain committed to your goals. The journey may not always be easy, and there will be moments when you question yourself, but difficulty does not mean that you are incapable. As the Bible says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” For me, that is not merely a verse; it is something I have experienced throughout my journey. Opportunities are oft en disguised as hard work. You may not always see the reward immediately, but every assignment, every late night and every setback contributes to the person you are becoming. Lastly, align yourself with focused, like-minded individuals and form study groups, I learned this somewhat later than I would have liked. Do not isolate yourself because you need a strong network of people you can bounce ideas off and learn from.
Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
A: I have learned to let God lead me in my journey and I am hoping that includes realizing my dreams of being a successful and wellrounded legal practitioner, continuing to grow in my profession and perhaps pursuing a Master’s degree and being and being able to give more, whether it’s time, sharing my knowledge, lending an ear to someone who needs one, mentoring young people or assisting someone materially where I am able to. I have been fortunate to have people who invested in me, believed in me and helped me get to where I am today. I would like my success to create room for me to do the same for someone else. Ultimately, I do not know exactly what the next five years will look like, but I am excited about the possibilities. I have learned to work hard, remain faithful and trust God with the direction of my journey.
