Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr ramps up Namibian presence and practice

As of next Monday, 1 September 2025, leading South African-headquartered law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is significantly strengthening its regional presence with the addition of four leading Namibian lawyers to CDH Namibia, alongside a talented bench of Senior Associates, Associates, and business operational teams. 

The firm says its is pleased to announce “a significant step forward” in the growth of its Namibian office - which is currently incorporated at Barendse Inc - and its commitment to serving clients “with precision and excellence” with the news that Patrick Kauta will join CDH Namibia and take over the role of Managing Partner, and that he will be joined by Frieda Kishi, Magano Erkana, and Mercy Ujandjua Kuzeeko.

“Patrick brings extensive expertise and leadership experience that will be instrumental in driving our strategic goals for the benefit of our clients and the Namibian market,” says Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, noting that Barendse Inc will in due course undergo a name change. Subject to regulatory approval, the firm will be renamed Kauta Barendse & Kishi Inc, and continue to trade as CDH Namibia.

Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Kauta, a trailblazing figure in the Namibian legal profession, said “Namibia deserves a future-fit commercial law firm”. 

The revamped and strengthened CDH Namibia will specialise in commercial litigation, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, conveyancing, taxation, labour, project finance, competition law, oil and gas, and administrative law.

Kauta has an illustrious legal career that spans almost three decades. In the courtroom he has represented Parliamentarians suspended unconstitutionally, groups of Namibians charged with treason, and traditional authorities seeking restitution and reparations from Germany for an early 20th century genocide. 

He has also served in board roles and leadership positions for several prominent Namibian organisations, including Old Mutual Namibia Limited, the Namibia Football Association, and African Stars football club. Most recently, he was Senior Director and founding partner at leading Namibian firm Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc (WKH). 

Frieda Kishi, who is set to join Kauta as a name partner at the new firm trading as CDH Namibia, was likewise a Director at WKH, and has a quarter century career that spans roles at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, Namibia Development Corporation, and serving as a Public Prosecutor at the High Court of Namibia, along with establishing her own firm, Kishi Legal Practitioners, in 2006. 

Magano Erkana was the Head of the Commercial Department at WKH, having previously worked at Standard Bank Group for over a decade, including as Head of Legal Services. Mercy Ujandjua Kuzeeko is an experienced tax lawyer skilled in tax, international tax consulting, tax advisory and due diligence. 

The Windhoek Observer reports that after losing four key Directors and several other staff, WKH will operate under a new name from 30 September 2025.