Born and raised in Mupapama village near Rundu in Kavango East, Vensislaus Mbambo is rubbing shoulders with renowned legal minds like Rowan van Wyk and Godfry Shivolo.
Mbambo is honing his skills under the tutelage of prolific criminal justice lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji.
The young lawyer is a force to reckon with in the legal fraternity, while also being an established musician and rapper of note.
His interest in law was awakened early by notable figures such as Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, who often discussed legal matters with him during visits to the village.
Another prominent influence on his decision to pursue a career in law was his brother, Jonas Mbambo, who was a rapper and also studied law in Russia. Apart from his legal career, Vensislaus Mbambo is passionate about music, and performs under the name MVK_RAPPER_LAWYER, and his music available on various platforms.
The biggening
Mbambo’s academic journey can be traced back to Friendly pre-primary school, followed by Grades one to five at Noordgrens primary school. He did Grades six and seven at Ngondo primary school, and eventually completed his secondary education at Dr Romanus Kampungu, where he majored in accounting in Grades eight to 10, then switched to pure science in Grades 11 and 12. Mbambo enrolled at the University of Namibia for the LLB four-year programme in 2018, which he completed in 2021.
He is currently a candidate legal practitioner at Siyomunji Law Chambers, where he has been sharpening his skills in criminal law litigation since October 2022, while also handling civil and labour law cases.
Mbambo says he has yet to face a prosecutor he would call the ‘worst’.
Litmus test
However, he has encountered a particularly formidable one, named Godfry Shivolo, during the State v Mathielde Karomo case. According to him, this double murder and arson case was challenging. Despite the initial denial of bail in the formal application by Magistrate Wilka Amalwa, it was eventually granted by Magistrate Surita Savage as the state lacked evidence on a final date for the prosecutor general’s decision. He also faced Shivolo in another trial presided over by Magistrate Savage.
This case, State v Elia Shikwanyi, was an attempted murder case with a charge of assault GBH. His client was acquitted. He describes prosecutor Van Wyk as the best and toughest prosecutor.
“His case selections are strategic, ensuring a challenging trial.
The strictest magistrate I’ve encountered, a sentiment shared by many fellow candidates, is Victor Nyazo,” Mbambo said.
His advice for aspiring lawyers is to be prepared to read extensively. Do not pursue this career for quick financial gains, as it requires time and dedication to succeed. However, if you have a natural aptitude, you can progress quicker, he stated.
-rrouth@nepc.com.na