Sandi hailed as pillar of region’s legal fraternity

DOZENS of lawyers, judges, friends and family gathered in the Grahamstown City Hall yesterday to pay tribute to Eastern Cape Judge Bonisile Sandi, who died last week.

Sandi was hailed as a legal scholar, human rights lawyer and campaigner, a passionate proponent of education, a devotee of rugby and a man who had overcome many obstacles to rise to the bench.

He was born to working-class parents on a farm outside Grahamstown in 1955. He excelled at school and later obtained his BProc at the University of Fort Hare in record time.

During his time as an attorney in Grahamstown, Sandi acted fearlessly on behalf of the oppressed during the state of emergency.

He was been appointed to the bench in 2001.

Eastern Cape Judge President Themba Sangoni yesterday described him as a good man who was always kind and helpful to his colleagues and who, throughout his life, put the interests of society above all else.

Speaking on behalf of the attorneys in the region, lawyer Brin Brody said Sandi had been a man of integrity and honesty, and was a pillar of the legal community in Grahamstown.

“He was a wise judge with a great sense of justice. He leaves behind a legacy and he will not be forgotten. He was a good man and we all loved him.”

The funeral will be held on Friday at 9am at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George in Grahamstown.