Some may not be aware of the origins of the Magistrates and Judges Association of Namibia (MJAN). The model for local Magistrates and Judges Associations is the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA). The Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association is headquartered in London was founded in 1970 initially as the Commonwealth Magistrates Association. The current name was adopted in 1988, thus allowing judges also to become members.

This is the only organization that brings together judicial officers at all levels from across the Commonwealth. The CMJA is to be distinguished from the official Commonwealth a political/cultural organization bringing together former British colonies, including other countries such as Namibia or Mozambique, which although not former colonies of Britian are members. The CMJA is governedd by a General Assebly is elected at Annual Conference often hel at some exotic or sought-after holiday places.

The CMJA encourages the establishment of local Magistrates and Judges Association to foster collegialtiy an exchange of information amongst judicial officers at all levels of the judiciary. Namibia id not have a local MJA at indepenence until 1995 when the first meeting was held in Windhoek. The meeting constituting the Association was preceded by a judicial workshop where all judge and magistrate were inviated. The occasion also saw the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, Judge Sandra Oxner, in attendance. At that meeting the present Consitution adopted and office bearers were elected. The Hon Mr Justice Bryan O’Linn was elected President of the Association together with the following other office-bearers: His Worship Magistrate Petrus Unengu (currently Acting Judge of the High Court) as Vice-president, Her Worship Magistrate Johanna Salionga as Secretary, Her Worship Rina Horn as Treasurer and the Hon. Mr Justice Teek as additional member. All permanent judges of the High Court joined the association immediately after the founding meeting, but only a small number of magistrates joined at that time.

The strength of any organization lies in numbers. Remember the old saying “there is strength in numbers”, and this is true in respect of the MJAN. The more members there are the more effective the Association can become. It is ideal to have all eligible members join and become active participants. This is particularly true of judges who as members of the senior judiciary can be of great assistance to the association and can mentor the embers from the lower judiciary. This is absolutely crucial if the association is to have some relevance and influence. Secondly, MJAN needs to foster unity of purpose, reinvent itself and become better organized.

The spirit of professionalism should permeate all its activities. The third point I wish to make is that it is absolutely necessary for the MJAN to maintain links with the CMJA. In view of the fact the MJAN is the predominant umbrella association, with statutory recognition, in our country which allows judicial officers and judges to unite and interact, it is important that it becomes an active member of the CMJA. Such a global of this association can produce benefits vital for the growth and strengthening of our judiciary.