The Office of the Minister operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, deriving its mandate from the constitutional responsibilities outlined for Cabinet members.

As the political head of the Ministry, the Minister is entrusted with setting the strategic direction, overseeing operations, and representing the Ministry in public and political spheres.

Working in close collaboration with civil servants and officials, the Minister ensures the effective implementation of government policies and initiatives, ultimately advancing the administration of justice within the nation.

The Office of the Minister, in accordance with Article 40, fulfills a multitude of functions vital to the governance and progress of the nation:

Development: Engages in comprehensive research, stakeholder consultations, and proposal drafting to formulate and shape policies within the justice portfolio.

Implementation: Ensures the effective and efficient execution of approved policies, overseeing their implementation to achieve desired outcomes.

Legislative Agenda: Takes an active role in driving the government's legislative agenda by introducing bills in parliament and advocating for their enactment.

Public Relations: Serves as the public face of the Ministry, communicating government priorities, addressing media inquiries, and engaging with stakeholders and the public.

Interdepartmental Coordination: Works closely with other government entities such as the Office of the Judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the Prosecutor General, Office of the Attorney General, and other Ministries to coordinate policy initiatives and align with broader government objectives.

Advice to the Government: Provides expert advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on matters within the justice portfolio, leveraging knowledge and expertise to inform decision-making.

Appointment Powers: Exercises powers to appoint officials to various government offices, crucial for the efficient functioning of the government machinery.

Fillemon Wise Immanuel has been the Namibian Minister of Justice and Labour Relations since 22 March 2025, following his appointment as one of the eight (8) non-voting members of the National Assembly, appointed by the President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. As with all other eight (8) non-voting members, his appointment was based on his special expertise, status, skills, and professional experience, in accordance with Article 32(5)(c) read together with Article 46(1)(b) of the Namibian Constitution. He was subsequently appointed as the Minister of the newly formed Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, which was created through the merger of the two previously separate ministries of Justice and Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. Before his ministerial appointment, Immanuel — an admitted Legal Practitioner, an economist, a renowned Corporate Governance Practitioner, and an exceptional leader — served as the Executive: Governance, Strategy, Compliance, Legal Services, and Company Secretary at the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), where he had been since 2013. Thereat, his role evolved over the years, beginning as Company Secretary and Manager of Corporate Affairs — caring for governance, company secretarial duties, compliance, legal matters, and corporate communications — and culminating in the title he held immediately before his ministerial deployment. By the time he transitioned to the ministerial role, he had accumulated over twelve (12) years of executive management experience in the corporate space, with a specific focus on corporate governance and legal advisory services. Further, he commands a tactful and well-rounded approach to people leadership, business re-engineering, process mapping, systems thinking, and turnaround strategies, among other specialised skills.

Immanuel commenced his professional career in 2008 as a Regional Economic and Development Planner under the Khomas Regional Council. In this role, he promoted economic growth and development within the region through strategic planning, management, and coordination. In 2009, he returned to the University of Namibia (UNAM), his alma mater, as the Head of Support Services, Culture, and Student Leadership Development. In this capacity, he was primarily involved in mentoring and orienting students on the fundamental principles of servant leadership, responsible and ethical citizenship, strategic influence, tactful networking, and intentional exposure to real-world challenges. As a result of his selfless mentorship, several notable youth leaders were ushered into leadership roles at both the institutional and national levels. While at the University of Namibia, Immanuel not only became an influential figure within the university community but also progressed to become the founding Head of Campus Administration for the UNAM School of Medicine. In this role, he pioneered campus infrastructural development and championed the concept of coeducational dormitories, while ensuring institutional policy stability and consistent strategic advancement. Following his successful completion of Justice Training, Immanuel was attached to Kangueehi & Kavendjii Incorporated, under which he admitted and practised law. Further, he has served on several corporate and public governance boards, including the now-repealed Tender Board of Namibia, the UNAM Council, the UNAM Senate, the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), and the Public Procurement Review Panel, among others. Currently, he is a member of the SADC-LA Governing Council. Immanuel’s political activism, leadership and signature were moulded through an early, yet specific orientation to the SWAPO Party’s ideology, policies and programmes. His involvement with the SWAPO Party Youth League and its Pioneers Movement, and general student politics, played a pivotal role in shaping his political posture. He served as a Presiding/Returning Officer over several elections, including the SWAPO Party Extra-Ordinary Congress (2025), the SWAPO Party Electoral College (2024), SWAPO Party Central and Political Bureau elections (2022 – 2023), Congresses and Central Committee-based elections for most of the SWAPO Party’s Wings (2017 – 2024), the NANSO Congress (2014) and the UNAM Student Representative Council (2008 – 2011). He has also made significant contributions to the drafting and review of various SWAPO Party administrative policies and governance instruments.

Further roles include having served as a Member of the SWAPO Party Think Tank (2021–present), Member of the SWAPO Party School Steering Committee (2015–2017), an Assistant National Secretary for Information and Mobilisation of the SWAPO Party Youth League (2010–2012), Kakurukaze Mungunda – SPYL Branch Coordinator (2010–2012), Kakurukaze Mungunda SPYL Branch – Information & Mobilisation Officer (2008–2010), and UNAM-SPYL Branch Coordinator (2006/07). Immanuel is the former President of the Student Representative Council (2006/07), Deputy President of the Debating Society (2005/06), and Secretary for Academic Affairs of the Student Representative Council (2004/05), both at the University of Namibia. He also served as Secretary for Tertiary Education of the Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO) (2005–2008), as well as the Secretary for Legal Affairs of the Southern African Students Congress (SASCO) (2007).

In his earlier years, Immanuel served as Head Boy at Mweshipandeka High School (2002) and as Convener of the Future Leaders Summit (2000–2001)—a platform that brought together young leaders from northern Namibia to discuss issues of common concern and interest. At the University, he led numerous youth and student demonstrations addressing social injustices, gender-based violence, and rising student fees (2001–2006). In 2001, he was temporarily suspended from high school for political activities, including organising a protest against the School Board over its treatment of the then-principal and attempting to establish a SPYL branch at the school. Notably, he led a two-week protest (1–14 March 2006) at UNAM against a compulsory breakfast policy, which resulted in threats of eviction from his campus residence. In 2007, he led a demonstration opposing the National Society for Human Rights’ (NSHR) submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which sought to have Namibia’s Founding Father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, investigated for alleged war-related incidents.

Immanuel’s academic fortitude is evident in his attainment of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Management Strategy, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB - Honours), a Baccalaureus Juris degree in Law, and a Bachelor of Economics. He has also completed an Executive Leadership Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. In addition, he is admitted to practice as a legal practitioner before both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Namibia. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on Technology and Law, at the University of the Witwatersrand, as part of his continued academic and professional growth. He describes himself as a literate rural boy, and lives by the mantra: “The Wise Immanuel – reforming by reasoning”. Upon assuming office as Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, New Era (09 April 2025) described him as a polished lawyer and a calculated politician – who is sharp in speech, steady in thought, and always meticulously prepared. He personifies both transformational and exponential leadership.

Ms. Fazilla M. Bock Kakombo

PA to the Minister

  +264 61 280 5262
  +264 81 159 4870