2025 IECL Annual Lecture: Continuity and Confluence: of Roots and Varied Shoots in Namibia’s Roman-Dutch Legal Tradition

Continuity and Confluence: of Roots and Varied Shoots in Namibia’s Roman-Dutch Legal Tradition examines the evolution of Namibia’s mixed legal system through a legal-historical and comparative lens. Anchored in Roman-Dutch law, the system reflects a confluence of inherited doctrine, post-independence constitutional development, and enduring customary practices. This lecture traces the “roots” of Namibia’s legal tradition and explores the “varied shoots” that have emerged through judicial interpretation, legislative reform, and comparative influence. In highlighting how coherence is maintained amid legal pluralism, the lecture situates Namibia as an active participant in the shaping of its hybrid legal identity.

The lecture is based on a paper written by Justice Hosea Angula, Dr Ndatega Asheela-Shikalepo and Dr Axel Moeller.