Justice Lotta Ambunda took her oath as a permanent judge of the High Court this morning.
At 38 years old, Ambunda is the youngest High Court Judge on the bench.
Judge President Damaseb, who administered the oath shortly after swearing in, shared a light moment on how Ambunda grew through the ranks.
"When Judge Ambunda joined the judiciary as a researcher, I can't remember how many years ago, maybe in her 20s or so, she was the first researcher who was appointed a judge's research assistant. The significance of it is that it shows that nothing is impossible. Today, she is a judge. So I'm very proud of what she has done. She joined as my research assistant, where she served the judiciary in that capacity until she left about six years ago to go to the bar and become an advocate. So congratulations, Lotta. I'm very proud of you. All the best. I wish you well."
Judge Ambunda obtained both her BJuris and LLB degrees from the University of Namibia, and she also holds a Master of Laws in Constitutional Law.
"I'm in the civil stream, so I deal with all civil cases, but I'm very passionate about matters relating to children and women, because that also forms the basis of some of my earliest publications, when I published so many articles on children's rights and women's rights. But all in all, as you say, I mean, I am an all-rounder; I would deal with all types of cases."
Ambunda was admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court in 2013 and joined the Directorate of the Registrar of the High and Supreme Courts in 2011.
She has been a member of the Society of Advocates since 2020.
Ambunda published work on women's and children's rights and contributed to the 2022 publication Namibia's Supreme Court at 30 Years, issued by the Namibian Supreme Court.
She said joining the Namibian bench was a milestone in her professional journey.
"I am grateful to be part of the Namibian bench. As this decision shows, age is not a limit to anything. If you put your mind to something, you can achieve it, and it has always been my dream to become a judge. To every girl child, in fact, to every person aspiring to reach their goals, it's important to know that self-determination, persistence, and hard work make everything possible."