Fighting for justice
Eliaser Tuyakuleni Shiikwa is a Senior Legal Counsel in the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations: Directorate of Legal Aid, where he has served for more than seven years.His work includes criminal and civil litigation in district, regional, and high courts, drafting legal documents, prosecuting and defending domestic violence cases, and offering legal advice and consultations. What Shiikwa values most is representing indigent persons who cannot afford legal services.
Shiikwa was born in Omatuni village in the Okahao district of the Omusati Region but grew up in the dusty streets of Nau-Aib, Okahandja. His passion for helping others was evident from a young age, leading him to pursue a career in law despite initial challenges.
Shiikwa began his studies at the University of Namibia in Psychology, as the Law programme was full. Realising his true calling, he switched to Law within a month, even though this meant studying part-time for over seven years instead of the usual five. He graduated with a Bacclarius juris (B.Juris) in 2014 and an LLB Honours in 2017.
His dedication is deeply personal, shaped by witnessing police brutality and unlawful evictions in his community as a child. Those experiences are what inspired his mission to fight injustice. His advice to aspiring professionals is simple yet powerful: “It doesn’t matter how long it takes to reach the finish line, what matters is that you get there. There are no shortcuts. Don’t let your current circumstances define your future.”