Iuze Mukube
The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) held a first-of-its-kind award ceremony to recognise individuals and institutions that have made exceptional contributions to the organisation through monetary and voluntary service.
The ceremony was held on Wednesday at the organization’s headquarters in Windhoek.
The awardees were celebrated for their invaluable role in financially supporting and dedicating their time in significantly advancing the organization’s mission.
Toni Hancox, the director of LAC, speaking at the event, stated that the award is about gratitude, honoring the award recipient’s commitment, selflessness and consistent effort in supporting the centre’s initiatives.
“It is about recognising that access to justice is never the work of one organisation alone.
It is built through partnerships, solidarity, and people who choose— again and again—to stand on the side of rights, dignity, and fairness,” she added.
She stated that the Legal Champion Award represents the notion of Ubuntu incorporating working together towards the advancement of rights in the community.
Hancox pointed out that for years, the LAC worked to protect the rights of women, children, workers, and marginalised communities across Namibia.
“We have been there for those whose voices are often unheard— sometimes in courtrooms, sometimes in communities, sometimes simply by making the law understandable and accessible. But we do not do this work alone,” she said
Like all non-profits in Africa facing increasing financial pressure, the help given through the spirit of Ubuntu will go a long way in advancing justice for all.
“Justice needs community. If we believe in access to justice for all, then we must protect the institutions that make it possible. If we believe in Ubuntu, then we must invest—locally, collectively, sustainably—in justice,” she stated.
Two outstanding champions were honored at the event.
The first was Cronjé Inc., represented by Christiaan Cronjé, recognised for the law firm’s sustained financial support that has enabled LAC to maintain NAMLEX.
NAMLEX is Namibia’s public legal database and has helped the organisation to keep the country’s legal information website functioning as a reliable national resource.
Cronjé while expressing gratitude for the award and reaffirming commitment to continue supporting the organisation, also called for lawyers, law firms, and various organisations to come forward and contribute to the organisation.
He stated this is crucial because the work done by LAC is very important in the country.
Hancox stated that this contribution does not just support LAC, it supports the public, the legal profession, students, journalists, and every person who needs access to the law.
The second awardee was Gelda Waterboer, a teacher that has come to be known largely on social media via TikTok teaching school children on signs of sexual harassment and encouraging them to report to guardians if they experience such harassment.
Through her dedication to amplifying child protection information on social media, Waterboer has helped LAC reach nearly 170 000 people locally and internationally, said Hancox.
She added “that reach translates into knowledge. Knowledge translates into protection. And protection translates into justice for children and families.”
“Her work reminds us that advocacy today happens not only in courtrooms—but also online, where stories travel far and fast.”
She concluded that the statuette symbolized solidarity, a visible reminder that justice is a shared responsibility—and that we need legal champions.
–mukubeiuze@gmail.com