The government has accorded late retired Chief Justice Gert Johannes Strydom a state funeral.

Judge Strydom died on 25 of last month at Swakopmund aged 88.

The honour was conferred by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday.

The President exercised her powers in accordance with Sub-Article 8 of Article 32 of the Namibian Constitution, read together with Section 3(1) of the Conferment of National Honours Act of 2012.

Strydom served as Namibia's third Chief Justice after independence, from 1999 to 2003.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Peter Shivute has described the late Chief Justice Emeritus Strydom as one of the true architects of the country's judiciary as it is known today.

Speaking at a valedictory court session held in Strydom's honour last week, Shivute said Strydom delivered and concurred in several judgements that would today be regarded as landmark human rights rulings.

Among them was the decision to set aside a certificate issued by the State President that sought to halt the trial of those accused of killing the late liberation icon Immanuel Shifidi.

Shivute described the ruling as a small but significant act of judicial independence in a system designed to discourage such decisions, saying it reflected the character and principles that would define Strydom throughout his career.

Just days after Namibia gained independence, on 23 March 1990, Strydom was appointed Acting Judge-President of the High Court.

The appointment was made permanent a year later, and he served in the position until March 1999, when he became Namibia's third Chief Justice, succeeding Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed.

Mahomed, in turn, had succeeded Namibia's first post-independence Chief Justice, Hans Joachim Bekker.

Justice Strydom served as Chief Justice from 1999 to 2003 and continued as an acting judge of the Supreme Court until 2015, marking 38 years of public service.

He was succeeded as Chief Justice by the incumbent, Peter Shivute.

Otjiwarongo-born Strydom also served as Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission.

Also paying tribute, Attorney General Festus Mbandeka described Strydom as a jurist of note who remained committed to the aspirations of the Namibian Constitution and its values throughout his career.

The official proceedings will take place this Friday, with a public memorial service at Parliament Gardens, starting at 9 a.m.

Immediately after the memorial service, the late Chief Justice will be buried at Pioneer Park Cemetery.

He is survived by his widow, Maria Strydom, and his children, Albert and Lizette.