Goodbye to humble giant
TRIBUTES: RAMAPHOSA, MOSENEKE REFLECT ON BIZOS’ EXTRAORDINARY LIFE
Struggle stalwart tried to change lives through the law, says family.
Renowned human rights advocate George Bizos has been remembered for his hatred of oppression and inequality, which he is said to have carried with him until he drew his last breath.
These were some of the sentiments shared by many people during his funeral yesterday.
The celebrated human rights advocate died at his home last Wednesday at the age of 92.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke, who was his long-time friend, were among many who paid tribute to Bizos, describing him as a “giant” who had contributed immensely to South Africa’s freedom.
Ramaphosa had declared a special official funeral category one for the social activist.
“When it was not fashionable, George Bizos chose the side of the oppressed,” said Moseneke during his tribute.
Bizos represented many struggle heroes, including Rivonia triallists like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Andrew Mlangeni, Denis Goldberg, Govan Mbeki and Ahmed Kathrada.
It was the advocate’s “if needs be”, caveat that is believed to have spared Mandela from being taken to the gallows in apartheid South Africa.
“He deeply hated oppression, inequality and unfairness to his death bed,” said the former deputy chief justice.
Moseneke recalled many years of working alongside “Baba Bizos”, sharing anecdotes and tales from living in the advocate’s home when they were defending
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in the Stompie Seipei matter, trips to Robben Island to defend striking workers and the relationship the two had with Mandela.
Moseneke also told mourners at the Hellenic Centre in Hillbrow of the awkwardness he had experienced after becoming a Constitutional Court judge and then having his mentor appearing as counsel before him.
Ramaphosa told mourners, including Bizos’ children, that a “great baobab had fallen”.
He praised Bizos, not only for his work in the courtroom, but for being there for the families of Steve Biko, Ahmed Timol and Neil Aggett, who were killed by the apartheid government while in custody.
Reflecting on Bizos’ life, the president said the renowned advocate – who arrived in South Africa aged 13 as a refugee from Greece – was destined to be an activist lawyer and champion of the liberation struggle.
History would judge the struggle stalwart as a good man whose life was aimed at changing lives through his knowledge and use of the law, his family said in a moving tribute yesterday.
“I stand before you, all paying homage to my papou (Greek for grandfather) with multiple conflicting emotions,” said his grandson, Nicholas Bizos.
“The problem with having someone as revered as papou is that you come to believe he is immortal.
“Every turn that papou made, every weave of the tapestry that is his life, was done with the honest and devout intention of making things better, of doing something right, something to correct an injustice or help relieve someone’s suffering.”
Bizos’ son, Alexi, remembered him as a Greek and a South African. “He died a South African and a Greek but above all, a human being.
He deeply hated oppression, inequality, unfairness