PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 26: Forensic Pathologist Dr Shakeera Holland talks to Human Rights lawyer George Bizos and Salim Essop during the inquest into Ahmed Timol’s death at the North Gauteng High Court on July 26 2017 in Pretoria.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 26: Forensic Pathologist Dr Shakeera Holland talks to Human Rights lawyer George Bizos and Salim Essop during the inquest into Ahmed Timol’s death at the North Gauteng High Court on July 26 2017 in Pretoria.
One of the great opponents of injustice in our history, George Bizos, has turned 90 this week. The new nonagenarian is a hero to so many South Africans, after spending his career in law fighting against apartheid.
He was part of the team that wrote South Africa’s new democratic constitution in 1994, and has had a huge say in the direction the country should be going in. Though his vision is struggling at the moment, he will always be a man who gave a voice to the voiceless. So we’re going to celebrate this milestone with a little factfile:
Mr Bizos is a Greek immigrant, born in Athens in 1927. He moved to SA during the Second World War as an evacuee. He first lived in Durban, before making a home for himself in Johannesburg – where he still lives today.
He completed his law degree at the University of Witwatersrand in 1950. And let this be a lesson in how to deal with rejection… Bizos initially wanted to train to be a doctor, but his application was turned down by Wits. What was the Medical Council’s loss eventually became Mzansi’s gain.
The human rights lawyer was a representative of both Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela during the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1963. This was the case which lead to the 27-year imprisonment of Madiba, up until February 1990.
Bizos also represented both Chris Hani and Steve Biko, two other household names in the fight for an equal South Africa. He went on to appear in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, representing families of killed heroes of our liberation struggle.
Mr Bizos is far from being the shy and retiring type. He’s still practising law, and was part of the team that secured justice for Ahmed Timol earlier this year.
His death in police custody was marked as suicide by apartheid authorities, despite evidence to the contrary. Bizos and team managed to overturn that ruling, to say that Timol was in fact tortured and beaten by guards.
He’s still happily married, and he has three sons. Currently residing in Johannesburg, he isn’t giving up the fight for justice right now. Happy Birthday, George!