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“How Nelson Mandela joined us at the  hip”

“How Nelson Mandela joined us at the hip”

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER RETIRED Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa Dikgang Moseneke has spoken warmly about how the great Nelson Mandela joined him at the hip with the late legendary human rights lawyer George Bizos. Bizos (92), a towering figure in legal and political circles in South Africa, was also a central and respected figure in the Hellenic community in Johannesburg, where he was affectionately called “Papou George” (Grandfather George). His funeral service, an official burial with full military honours, was held at the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, a historic church that was built in…
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A great tree has fallen …

A great tree has fallen …

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA THERE are very few in our society of whom it can be said that they inspired an entire generation to follow in their footsteps. It is not many who are of such distinguished reputation that they are known simply by their first name, not just in their own social circle but to the entire country. It is only the rarest of individuals upon whom the title ‘champion of the oppressed’ is bestowed. George Bizos was such a man. A great tree has fallen.  A tree that gave shade to the patriots that founded our great nation and sheltered…
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A “remarkable human being” – the legendary human rights lawyer who defended Mandela – laid to rest

A “remarkable human being” – the legendary human rights lawyer who defended Mandela – laid to rest

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WARM tributes have been paid to the legendary South African human rights lawyer George Bizos, who has been laid to rest at the Heroes Acre at Johannesburg's West Park Cemetery after an official, simple and yet dignified funeral service. Bizos, 92, who defended Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and many other political activists, passed away a week ago. He was a towering figure in legal and political circles in South Africa, was also a central and respected figure in the Hellenic community in Johannesburg, where he was affectionately called “Papou George” (Grandfather George). His funeral service, an official…
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Personal tribute to uncle George Bizos

Personal tribute to uncle George Bizos

MAHLODI S MUOFHE UNCLE George, that’s how you preferred me to call you. You, at all material times, reproved when I addressed you as Advocate George Bizos. You took silk; I thought you would be happy at that time, when attempting my luck and called you, Advocate George Bizos SC, Iyo!  the rebuke was harder than I anticipated.  Our relationship thus remained one of you being my ‘ uncle ‘ and me; your ‘ son ‘. It continued that way until you; the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and I met together under one roof. I remember that day when…
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The versatile George Bizos!

The versatile George Bizos!

KHULU MBATHA Standing trial for having left the country illegally and so on, Nelson Mandela used the court’s platform to pronounce on principle and policies that his organisation stood for. After explaining his motives for joining the struggle of the African majority against a white minority oppressor group, Mandela stated: “The African National Congress further believed that all people, irrespective of the national groups to which they may belong, and irrespective of the colour of their skin, all people whose home is South Africa and who believe in the principles of democracy and of equality of men, should be treated…
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Special official funeral for Mandela’s lawyer, George Bizos

Special official funeral for Mandela’s lawyer, George Bizos

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER GEORGE Bizos, the late human rights lawyer who defended Nelson Mandela and many other freedom fighters, has been given the ultimate honour by a government he helped install. The South African government has announced that Bizos, who died this week aged 92, will be accorded a special funeral. The honour is given to individuals who have contributed to the struggle against apartheid and the building of a new South Africa. South Africans, African and others around the world have paid warm tributes to Bizos, a powerful and fearless legal eagle famous for his commitment to social justice.…
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George Bizos: heroic South African human rights lawyer with a macabre duty to represent the dead

George Bizos: heroic South African human rights lawyer with a macabre duty to represent the dead

KEITH GOTTSCHALK, Political Scientist, University of the Western Cape ADVOCATE George Bizos, who has died at the age of 92, stands in the pantheon of South African human rights lawyers and anti-apartheid activists. Throughout his lengthy lifetime, he doggedly used the courts as his chosen terrain to fight back against a police state that blatantly violated the rule of law. His lifelong commitment to human rights left a legacy in South Africa’s constitution and bill of rights. He knew that democracy is not a destination but a lifelong quest: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Bizos was among a…
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SOUTH AFRICANS CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF HERO GEORGE BIZOS : 1927 – 2020

SOUTH AFRICANS CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF HERO GEORGE BIZOS : 1927 – 2020

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER GEORGE Bizos arrived in Durban, South Africa, as refugee, aged 13, after his father had helped soldiers escape Nazi camps. He went on to play a massive role in the courts in helping anti-apartheid activits escape the death penalty as well as the full brutality of apartheid. Today, South Africans from walks of life are celebrating the life and times of Bizos, who passed on aged 92, of natural causes.  South Africans of all ages and generations have paid emotionals tributes to Bizos, a man who defended ordinary people, the country’s political royalty, became a respected legal…
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