Martin Endjala
The late Paul Stefan Ludik who died last week due to a long illness has been described as a trailblazer who has opened doors for his peers and compatriots and as someone who has set the bar high. The former head of forensic at the Namibian Police was a renowned academic in the forensic world.
This was said by President Hage Geingob in his message of condolences today. “On behalf of the
Government and people of the Republic of Namibia, I extend our heartfelt condolences and sincere
sympathies to the Ludik family, friends and compatriots of the late Dr Paul Stefan Ludik”, Geingob said during the memorial service in Windhoek today.
Geingob lamented that the death has taken him away from his family and from Namibia, a country he served with distinction, while stating that the indelible footprint that he has left on the nation, through his trailblazing career and outstanding leadership, ensures that his legacy will live forever.
Ludik’s career is said to be both admirable and highly inspirational. A reminder that whenever a human being is driven by passion, a high work ethic, dedication and self-belief, he or she can achieve
unimaginable success, expressed the President.
Ludik, Geingob said paved the way for others to follow suit, by raising the bar and challenging young Namibians to follow their career ambitions, with fervent passion, diligence and commitment, so that
they too, will one day become trailblazers who will in turn open doors for their peers and compatriots.
“We thank this humble but visionary man for bringing acclaim to national forensic sciences and playing a crucial role in the history of laboratory science in Namibia. Today, we stand united, shoulder to shoulder with the grieving family, friends and colleagues, as we commemorate his legacy and bid him a heartfelt farewell”, Geingob sympathized.
As mere mortals. the President opined saying that ‘’we do not have the words to effectively comfort the hearts of wife Susan Ludik and his children on this untimely departure of a loving husband and father’’.
Ludik was born on the 30th Augustus 1960 in Cape Town, South Africa, where he undertook studies at the Potchefstroom University in 1982 and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, followed by a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1984. While completing his studies he began developing his passion and dedication to meticulous detail as a Research Assistant at the Unit for Catechol Aminergic Studies in Potchefstroom.
Due to his innate talent, dedication and exemplary work, he became Pharmacy Manager in 1984 from there, his career in the field of medicine, particularly pharmacy, took off. Ludik, then started as a hospital pharmacist in Keetmanshoop from 1984-1986 before being posted to Windhoek as a senior hospital pharmacist from 1986-1990.
