The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffrey Makhubo, on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, has expressed his deep condolences at the passing of veteran human rights lawyer and stalwart, Advocate George Bizos at the age of 92.
Adv. George Bizos passed away today, 09 September 2020. He is well known for being part of the legal team that represented the Rivonia trialists including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba and Elias Motsoaledi.
His passing comes, coming as it does, two months after the death of the last remaining Rivonia treason trialist Ntate Andrew Mlangeni who died in July and Denis Goldberg who passed away in April this year.
“His commitment to Human Rights and use of the law to advance these rights, even at the darkest hour of our nation, remains exemplary. His willingness to offer his talents for the greater good of the greater many when he could easily have chosen to enrich himself or be indifferent to the plight of the marginalised, serves as the high watermark of commitment to the oppressed and excluded anywhere in the world,” Cllr Makhubo said.
“His contribution to human rights and Constitutionalism is immense. Indeed, a curtain of the Golden era has fallen. We truly extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all freedom loving people across the globe. If 92 years of Public Interest Law was a person, it would be George Bizos,” said Mayor Makhubo.
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For Media Enquiries
Mlimandlela Ndamase
Director: Mayoral Communications
MlimandlelaN@joburg.org.za
083 480 0014
