Being a lawyer is both exciting and exhausting.
As such, the idea that many people have of lawyers having money is misplaced, as a lot of hours of hard labour, dedication, determination, discipline and perseverance go into perfecting the craft.
This is according to upcoming lawyer Phillipus Ignatius Mumbala.
“It might take you 10 years before you reap the fruits of your labour. Being a lawyer entails hard work, long hours, sleep deprivation, and extensive reading,” Mumbala said.
Mumbala was born 25 years ago at Otjiwarongo and started his academic career at Vooruit Primary School, an institution that shaped his character and groomed him.
He attended Otjiwarongo Secondary School, for his high school journey, which he completed in 2017.
“Growing up, I was a very athletic child. I played rugby, field hockey, tennis, cricket, and was a field and track star,” Mumbala says.
He also said he is passionate about music and has been part of many choirs, including the award-winning /Ae//Gams youth choir. Mumbala has been singing in church for as long as he can remember, and his mother’s love for church and music motivated and encouraged him.
“Music brings to me a sense of peace and calmness. Music is a vital part of my existence. Music defines me,” he said.
“After completing my high school, I started my LLB honours degree programme with the University of Namibia in 2018. I completed my studies at the end of 2021 and started working as a candidate legal practitioner at Neves Legal Practitioners and later moved to my current job at Tjituri Law Chambers, where I am employed as a candidate legal practitioner. I am also registered at the Justice Training Centre pursuing my board exams. At our law firm, we deal with a vast range of cases including criminal and civil litigation, estates, contracts, divorce and labour law. People often ask, Why the law? The truth is, I never imagined studying anything else. I chose law because of my love for knowledge. Law is a platform that allows me to read about every little aspect of the world and life, and they are all intricately linked and governed by law,” he said.
He added: “Another reason I chose law was to restore justice. Growing up in a small town, I encountered and was exposed to physical abuse, illegal substance abuse, and unjust treatment, as well as racial profiling, and I took a decision to study a field that would help empower the minority groups of our country and be able to ensure everyone was treated with respect and fairness. My first case in my legal career was a murder and obstruction of justice case in State vs Tangeni Kalola.”
Mumbala continued: “When I was informed by my senior, Messe Tjituri, that I would be doing the matter, I froze a little. I had never done a murder trial before and felt like I was not adequately prepared. I spent endless days reading and researching before I commenced with the trial. When we commenced with the trial, the state led evidence. I crossed-examined and applied for a discharge and was denied.
“I continued to lead evidence, and at the conclusion of the trial, the magistrate acquitted my client on both counts. The tears of joy from my client and her family and the words of affirmation that I received from them reminded me why I chose this path. This was one of the biggest highlights of my career,” he said. His advice to aspiring lawyers is to have a true passion for the career and be willing to put it into the work.
“Personally, being able to help people, advise them on what to do in certain instances, and just be able to solve problems and serve justice, for me is a reward enough,” Mumbala advised.