Derek James Klazen

Born on May 31, 1965, in the Erongo Region, J.Klazen has built a distinguished career as a teacher and public servant. With extensive experience in local government, He served as a member of the Executive Association of Local Authorities from 2010 to 2015, and held the position of President of the Mayor’s Forum from 2010 to 2012, having previously been a member from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2012. He also served as the Mayor of Walvis Bay during the periods of 2006-2008 and 2010-2012, and was a member of the Walvis Bay Local Authority Council from 2004 to 2014.

In 2014, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, a role he held until 2021. Since 2021,he has been serving as the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

In his legislative career, J.Klazen has been a member of the National Assembly from 2015 to 2021 and served as Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development during the same period. He became a member of the Cabinet in 2021, and has been the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources since then.

His legislative interests include urban and rural development, sports development, education, and poverty eradication through fisheries beneficiation.