As our 45th anniversary approaches and we celebrate the 4th recipient of the George Bizos Human Rights Award, we take a moment to honour the incredible man who has left an indelible mark on the pursuit of justice in South Africa: George Bizos.
From the very inception of the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) in 1979, George Bizos played a pivotal role in shaping our journey. His unwavering commitment to justice and human rights became the cornerstone of our work. Formally joining the LRC in 1991, Bizos used our Centre as a base for some of the most significant litigation in South Africa’s history. He led the team for the government in passing the 1996 Constitution, a document that enshrined the rights and freedoms of all South Africans. Bizos also represented families of apartheid atrocities at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), led the LRC team at the Marikana Commission, and sought justice for the families of Ahmed Timol and others murdered in detention. His contributions to these and many lesser-known cases were always guided by a deep-seated commitment to justice for the victims of injustice.
At the LRC, George Bizos was more than just a legal luminary—he was a mentor to countless legal professionals, both within and outside our organization. His wisdom, humility, and humanity touched the lives of many, guiding them as they rose to senior positions in the legal profession and the judiciary. His legacy continues to inspire and guide our work, as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately defended.
George Bizos is best known as Nelson Mandela’s lawyer during the Rivonia Trial in 1963 and 1964, where he played a crucial role in defending Mandela, Govan Mbeki, and Walter Sisulu. This trial was a turning point in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, and Bizos’s work was instrumental in preserving the lives of these leaders, ensuring that they could continue their fight for freedom.
Beyond his association with Mandela, Bizos represented some of the most remarkable figures in South Africa’s history. He stood by the families of Steve Biko, Chris Hani, and many others who lost their lives in the fight against apartheid. As Senior Counsel at the LRC’s Constitutional Litigation Unit in Johannesburg, Bizos was at the forefront of the legal battles that shaped post-apartheid South Africa.
In 1990, Bizos became a member of the African National Congress’ (ANC) Legal and Constitutional Committee, and at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), he served as an advisor to the negotiating teams. His expertise was crucial in drafting the Interim Constitution, the Truth and Reconciliation Bill, and amendments to the Criminal Procedures Act, ensuring that these laws aligned with the human rights guarantees enshrined in the Constitution.
As a leader of the team that argued against the death penalty and as counsel for the National Assembly in the Certification of the Constitution by the Constitutional Court, Bizos’s contributions were monumental in shaping South Africa’s legal landscape. His dedication to justice did not waver with the end of apartheid; rather, he continued to fight for the rights guaranteed under the Constitution for all South Africans.
George Bizos dedicated his life to the fight for human rights and justice. As we honor his memory and legacy, we are reminded of the immense power of compassion, integrity, and determination in the pursuit of a just society. His work at the LRC and beyond serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that the fight for justice is ongoing, and it is up to all of us to carry forward the torch he so nobly lit.
