In 1966/67 he began studying History, Law, and Political Science at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Katjavivi was a member of numerous national and international educational, cultural, and research organizations.

[3] Following the November 2009 parliamentary election, President Hifikepunye Pohamba appointed Katjavivi to the National Assembly as one of the six non-voting members of parliament appointed by the President for the term that began in March 2010.

[5] When the National Assembly began sitting for its new term on 20 March 2015, Katjavivi was sworn in as Speaker of Parliament, succeeding Theo-Ben Gurirab.

[6][7] In 2016 he was appointed chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).