Unity of purpose amongst most members of the Judiciary at all levels set the platform from which the Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association of Namibia was reinvigorated at its annual general meeting held over the weekend.

The Association, which is seeking to further the administration of justice by promoting uniformity of practice and the exchange and publication of information relating to the development of law and its application in Namibian Courts, resolved not to compromise its focus by also assuming the role of a trade union in real or anticipated labour disputes between judicial officers and any other organ of State. Notwithstanding dissatisfaction about their conditions of service, its members recognised that the Association’s involvement in such disputes will compromise the perceived independence of other members who, by nature of their judicial offices, may be required to preside on cases involving labour disputes of that nature.

In his keynote address delivered during the opening ceremony, Hon. Chief Justice P.S. Shivute, urged the Association to re-establish active participation in the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, an international Association promoting the independence of the judiciary; advancing education in law and working towards the prevention of crime in the Commonwealth of Nations. He noted that, when fully developed and its capacity strengthened, the Association will have the capacity to effectively articulate the interests of its members and to deliberate matters of common interest.

The benefits to members inherent in the realisation of the Association’s objects were also touched upon by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr Utoni Nujoma. If realised, he said, it will "make the Association an important cog in the administration of justice and will help judicial officers to improve the quality of service being rendered to our Nation". He added that the effective and efficient administration of justice remains a priority area for his Ministry, without which the people of Namibia will not be able to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed rights. The Government, therefore, is fully committed to the principle of having an independent and effective Judiciary and will continue to provide administrative and logistical support to it. He again echoed the recent remarks by His Excellency, the President, that the Judiciary was playing and would continue to play a critical role in maintaining peace and enforcing the Rule of Law in the Country.

Speaking on behalf of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, who sponsored the event in furtherance of its policy of democratic institution building, Dr H.R. Schillinger acknowledged the role of the Judiciary and the need for it to function effectively in a country emerging from the injustices perpetrated upon its people during the years of apartheid.

During the annual general meeting which followed on the opening ceremony, the following persons were elected to the Management Committee of the Association for 2006: Mr Justice Gerhard Maritz (President), Mr Christie Liebenberg (Vice President), Mrs Naomi Shivute (Secretary), Mrs Lea Shaanika (Treasurer) and Ms Justice Kato van Niekerk (Additional Member).