CDH Namibia strengthens leadership and capacity to deliver exceptional client service

His joining, together with that of Frieda Kishi, Magano Erkana, Mercy Ujandjua Kuzeeko, and a strong bench of talented Associates, reinforces our continued commitment to delivering precision, expertise, and exceptional service to our clients in Namibia, and the broader Southern Africa region.

As a firm fully committed to and investing in Namibia, our team is strategically positioned not just to respond to client needs but to proactively anticipate challenges, unlock opportunities, and offer forward-thinking legal solutions across all sectors.

Patrick Kauta was a founding partner and Senior Director at his previous firm, where he demonstrated not only deep legal expertise but also the integrity and vision that define effective legal leadership. He has over two decades of experience at the forefront of the legal profession. A seasoned litigator and strategic thinker, Patrick has appeared before the Supreme Court and served as an Acting High Court Judge. Patrick’s expertise spans corporate and commercial law, constitutional and public law, and competition law, with a reputation for handling high-stakes and high-impact litigation, including Namibia’s major treason trials and landmark public law disputes.

Patrick advises national institutions and plays an active role in shaping legal policy and regulatory frameworks in Namibia. His track record reflects not only deep legal expertise but also the integrity and vision that define effective legal leadership. We know that Patrick’s expertise and gravitas will bring additional value to our client relationships and further strengthen the quality of service you have come to expect from us.

Frieda Kishi is a highly respected employment law practitioner with over two decades of experience, having begun her career in the Office of the Prosecutor General before founding her own firm and later joining her previous firm in 2005. She brings deep expertise across employment law, regulatory, real estate law and trust and estates law.

As the first female director appointed at her previous firm, Frieda is well recognised as an entrepreneurial trailblazer with professionalism and purpose in Namibia’s legal sector. She also has a significant presence in northern Namibia, where her legal career started.

Frieda’s recent involvement in complex legal matters - including high-profile litigation before the Competition Commission - reflects both her depth of knowledge and her unwavering focus on client outcomes.

Frieda’s leadership, legal insight, and longstanding dedication makes her an asset to our firm and to the clients we serve.

Magano Erkana brings over two decades of legal and strategic experience, having held senior legal positions in Namibia’s financial services sector - including as Head of Legal Services at Standard Bank Namibia - and serving on the boards of several major institutions such as Stanlib Namibia and Liberty Life. Her commercial insight, gained from both executive and non-executive roles, gives her a unique perspective in advising clients on complex legal, regulatory, and transactional matters.

Magano leads with a solutions-oriented approach, providing sophisticated counsel in corporate and employment law, risk management, and contract negotiation.

Magano’s proven track record and business acumen make her a trusted advisor to both local and international clients navigating financing transactions, and governance, compliance, and legal risk in the financial services sector.

Mercy Ujandjua Kuzeeko brings a wealth of specialised knowledge in domestic and international tax law and will play a key role in strengthening our corporate and advisory capabilities in Namibia. With over a decade of experience across leading firms such as Deloitte Namibia and PwC South Africa, Mercy has developed a robust track record in high-level tax advisory, due diligence, and tax disputes litigation support.

Mercy regularly advises clients on tax structuring, compliance, audits, and disputes - the preparation of objections and appeals - and is well regarded for navigating complex tax environments in Namibia and across borders.

Mercy enhances our ability to provide strategic, practical, and forward-thinking tax solutions to corporates, institutions, and high-net-worth clients.

This team complements our existing Directors, Bonita de Silva and Ilda Dos Santos (both Corporate & Commercial). Ilda, who was previously, the Manager: Legal and Contracts of National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Pty) Ltd (NAMCOR) with considerable experience in the Namibian upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sector, is part of our Oil & Gas sector team, led by our renowned South African Oil & Gas expert, Megan Rodgers.

We also welcome Senior Associates Esther Shigwedha (Dispute Resolution) and Hesekiel Lipinge (Real Estate), and Associates Saraphina Paulus (Real Estate) and Tuundjakuje Martin (Dispute Resolution, as well as Associate Designate, Shereef Martin (Corporate & Commercial). They join our existing Associate Nhika Vassallo (Corporate and Commercial) and second-year candidate legal practitioner, Natasha Nekuta.

Brent Williams, CEO of CDH, says “Our clients will benefit from deep legal expertise, industry knowledge, delivered by some of the region’s most skilled and trusted legal professionals. I have no doubt that our team in Namibia - under Patrick’s leadership - will act with clarity, integrity, and a relentless focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.”

“It is an honour to join and help lead a firm committed to excellence, integrity, and client centricity,” says Patrick. “I look forward to working alongside a talented team to deliver strategic, client-focused solutions and to contribute to shaping the next chapter of legal practice in Namibia.”

With effect from 1 September 2025, Barendse Inc t/a CDH Namibia changed to, Kauta Barendse and Kishi Inc t/a CDH Namibia, signalling the change in the guard.