{{Infobox officeholder |name=Albert Kawana |image= |caption= |birth_date={{birth date and age|1956|1|1}} (approximate, needs verification) |birth_place=Caprivi Strip, South West Africa (now Namibia) |nationality=Namibian |alma_mater=University of London (LLB), University of Warwick (LLM) |occupation=Politician, Lawyer |party=SWAPO |office1=Minister of Justice |term_start1=21 March 2020 |predecessor1=Sacky Shanghala |office2=Minister of Works and Transport |term_start2=21 March 2015 |term_end2=21 March 2020 |predecessor2=Errki Nghimtina |successor2=John Mutorwa |office3=Minister of Justice |term_start3=21 March 2010 |term_end3=21 March 2015 |predecessor3=Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana |successor3=Sacky Shanghala |office4=Attorney-General of Namibia |term_start4=21 March 2005 |term_end4=21 March 2010 |predecessor4=Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana |successor4=Marcus Kampungu }}
Albert Kawana (born c. 1956) is a prominent Namibian politician and lawyer who has served in various high-ranking government positions since the country's independence in 1990. A long-standing member of the [[SWAPO Party]], he is known for his extensive contributions to Namibia's legal framework and governance.
Early Life and Education
Born in the Caprivi Strip (now Zambezi Region) during the era of South African administration of South West Africa, Kawana pursued his legal education in exile. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the [[University of London]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. He later earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the [[University of Warwick]]. His education during the apartheid era was crucial in preparing him for a role in an independent Namibia.Political Career
Kawana's political career began with Namibia's independence. He quickly rose through the ranks, holding several key ministerial portfolios:- Attorney-General (2005-2010): Kawana was appointed Attorney-General by then-President [[Hifikepunye Pohamba]]. In this role, he served as the principal legal advisor to the government and was responsible for overseeing legal matters of national importance.
- Minister of Justice (2010-2015): Following his tenure as Attorney-General, he became the Minister of Justice under President Pohamba. During this period, he was instrumental in driving legal reforms and ensuring the functionality of the justice system.
- Minister of Works and Transport (2015-2020): Under President [[Hage Geingob]]'s administration, Kawana was moved to the Ministry of Works and Transport. In this capacity, he oversaw significant infrastructure projects, including road, rail, and port developments, critical for Namibia's economic growth.
- Minister of Justice (2020-Present): In a cabinet reshuffle in March 2020, President Geingob reappointed Kawana as the Minister of Justice, a position he continues to hold.
Kawana has consistently been a member of the [[National Assembly (Namibia)|National Assembly]], representing the SWAPO Party, and has been a vocal participant in parliamentary debates on legal and governance issues.
Legal Contributions
Throughout his career, Albert Kawana has been a staunch advocate for the rule of law and constitutionalism in Namibia. His work as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has involved:- Drafting and reviewing key legislation.
- Advising the government on complex legal issues.
- Working towards strengthening the independence of the judiciary.
- Promoting human rights and access to justice.
Personal Life
Details of Albert Kawana's personal life are not widely publicized, consistent with the privacy often maintained by public figures.References
{{reflist}}[[Category:Namibian politicians]] [[Category:SWAPO politicians]] [[Category:Ministers of Namibia]] [[Category:University of London alumni]] [[Category:University of Warwick alumni]] [[Category:Living people]]