Hans Joachim Berker

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hans Joachim Berker (1924–1992) was a Namibian judge. He served as the first Chief Justice in the Supreme Court of Namibia from 1990 to 1992.[1]

Biography[]

Berker was born on 28 March 1924 in Hamburg, Germany. His family moved to South West Africa in 1928, and Berker attended school in Windhoek. He obtained a B.A. from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, and later an LL.B from Oxford University, United Kingdom.[1]

During his career Berker was known to be a liberal who opposed apartheid. He defended SWAPO activists Aaron Mushimba and , accused of the 1975 assassination of a senior church figure of former Ovamboland.[2]

Berker became president of the High Court in Windhoek on 1 March 1983, succeeding .[3] He later served as Judge President of the Supreme Court of South West Africa.[4] On 21 March 1990, the day of Namibian independence, he was appointed Chief Justice at the newly founded Supreme Court of Namibia. After his death he was succeeded by Ismael Mahomed.[1]

Private life[]

Berker was married to Marianne Berker, née Leis. He was an avid sportsman in his private life, winning Class II of the 1973 yacht race. Berker died in Windhoek on 5 July 1992.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Dierks, Klaus. "Biographies of Namibian Personalities, B". Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  2. ^ Mashuna, Timoteus (24 May 2012). "Hans 'Jochen' Berker: The true symbol of living reconciliation (1924 -1992)". New Era. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013.
  3. ^ Dierks, Klaus. "Chronology of Namibian History, 1983". Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  4. ^ "History of the Supreme Court of Namibia". Supreme Court of Namibia. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
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