Standing firm with the law

At the tender age of 27, Henry Shimutwikeni has decided to start his own law firm regardless of the many excuses that exist not to, saying that the decision was made even though there are substantial risks involved in going independent at such a tender age.
Henry Shimutwikeni & Co Inc. was officially launched this year, in spite of the reservations many of the people that Henry consulted expressed. “One of the biggest challenges was other people’s fears. When I sought advice from senior lawyers (many of whom are employed) they felt or feared that it was too risky or too early to start my own firm.
“My biggest challenge was balancing this advice with my passion and desire to start a law firm with its own principles and ideology. We should listen to advice but we must also learn to be decisive,” he encouraged.
Henry hails from Ongenga village in the Ohangwena Region, a place he says he identifies with the most. “Growing up, most people in Ongenga did not have access to basic amenities such as running water or electricity in their houses,” he said. Henry however grew up in Oranjemund; a place he says is a sharp contrast to Ongenga.
“The challenges faced in Ongenga have influenced and shaped my views towards becoming an activist lawyer for social justice” he said. Henry describes himself as someone who believes that our mindset and our actions must be genuine, sincere and principled at all times and “for me this predominately manifests in my passion for social justice,” he shared.
Henry completed his LLB (law) at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa for five years. He then did his articles for two years, while completing his training with the Justice Training Centre (JTC) at the University of Namibia (Unam). After completing his JTC and articles, he was admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.
The young lawyer says that he lives his life from two perspectives. Firstly, he reiterated that he believes in the principles of hard work, honesty, dignity and integrity.
“Secondly, I am extremely patriotic towards Namibia and believe that we must all strive to do extraordinary things in order to contribute towards building and bettering our country,” he shared with The Zone.
He says the reason he decided to no longer continue working for someone else, is twofold. “Firstly, I am an extremely hard worker, and for me it makes more sense to work hard and long hours for something which is my own as opposed to working long and hard hours building something in which I have no stake,” he revealed.
“The other reason is that I believe that out of patriotism, I too should do the little that I can to create employment, and I can confidently say that I currently have a team of young people who work hard and share in my aspirations for the firm,” he said.
Before he decided to take the leap to start his own law firm, Henry worked for Fisher Quarmby and Pfeiffer. He says the most gratifying things about being a lawyer is seeing a client who initially came into his office with a problem and then leaving knowing that Henry Shimutwikeni & Co Inc. has resolved their particular legal dilemma or at least they know that the firm has done their best with the legal instruments available to them.
He says that the dream is to build one of the biggest and most prestigious black-founded yet diverse law firm in Namibia, which is pivoted on the principle of delivering quality, timely legal services to its clients.
“I am not doing this merely for myself, but I want to build a law firm which will give young lawyers who work for Henry Shimutwikeni & Co Inc. the opportunity and confidence to excel in whatever it is that they do,” he said.
He says a lot of what type of lawyer he was going to be was largely determined during his time in the Free State where he met a lawyer by the name of Mabalane from Mabalane Seobe Inc. “He started his practice at a relatively young age. When I met him he assisted us (SASCO and ANCYL) on numerous occasions and he dedicated numerous hours of this time towards social justice. I think that was the moment that I started envisioning owning my own law firm,” he recalls.
As a legal practitioner he says he is inspired by Justice Dave Smuts, who is currently a judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia. “What inspired me about him is the selflessness, bravery and courage he displayed during the 1980s when he took on numerous cases representing victims of Apartheid, a stance which many lawyers did not take due to the fear of intimidation, arrest or even death.”
When The Zone asked Henry if there are any socio-political or economic quests that he is passionate about, he swiftly responded with “I am an activist lawyer”.
“One of my legal mottos is ‘making the law accessible for all.’ By this I mean I firmly believe that it does not help if our people know their rights but do not have access to the actual remedies with which they can enforce or exercise their rights. “I strongly believe that our existing laws must be used towards the betterment of our society. I further believe that as progressive legal practitioners it is our duty to advise and persuade our lawmakers to enact or amend laws so that our legal system supports a just society,” he shared.
He says the hardest thing about running your own law firm is finding the balance between running the administrative branch of the firm, as well as making sure that he stays an informed legal expert. On a personal development front, Henry says that he plans to attain his doctorate in financial planning law and says that he will achieve his goal despite having to juggle between his studies and running a company.
Henry says his father has been his biggest pillar of support. “He has been there for me financially, and has always urged me on and offered the necessary emotional support,” he shared.
For other young people that want to start their own businesses, Henry vehemently encouraged that young people take as many risks as they can, as early on in their life as possible. “Young people should learn to use every single dollar or cent that they earn, constructively. Young people should prioritise. Opening a business is not easy and one needs patience, confidence and perseverance. We also need to realise that business is not only about making money but it is also about building strong institutions,” he said.
He is currently studying financial planning at the University of the Free State and hopes to complete his Master’s degree by the end of 2017.


























Keith Vries