Bizos honoured
Founding member of Saheti School in Bedfordview and human rights lawyer, Advocate George Bizos was featured in the 21 Icons South Africa series of short film recently.
The series was part of the International Democracy Day commemorations on September 22.
21 Icons South Africa series’ publicity officer, Ms Jo-Leen Jan, said there will be short films and portraits to celebrate the country’s iconic individuals.
“One of South African’s most esteemed advocates and human rights activists is George Bizos, who, in a career spanning more than fifty years, has used the law in an exemplary manner to protect people from the abuse of state power,” she said.
Adv Bizos will also be remembered for adding the words, “If needs be” to former president Dr Nelson Mandela’s speech during the Rivonia Trial.
She said that Adv Bizos related this story in the 21 Icon series.
“I said to him, Nelson, you know this business that you’re prepared to die was a slogan from the ’50s. I don’t think the occasion is appropriate to say in an unqualified way that you are prepared to die. You will be accused of challenging the authority; you will be accused of seeking martyrdom. It will be counterproductive. He said: ‘I hear what you’re saying, but I must say that I’m prepared to die. I’m not going to take that out.’ So I said, well, let’s throw in an alternative. Just put the words ‘if needs be’ before the words ‘I’m prepared to die’. And he did that,” said Adv Bizos.
During the trial on April 20, 1964, Dr Mandela said, “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Ms Jan said these words played an important role in saving Mandela from getting the death sentence.
A photographer, filmmaker and a creator of the 21 Icons South Africa project, Mr Adrian Stein took a picture of Adv Bizos holding a note with three words.
“The intention for me with the portrait was to show George Bizos as the dignified man he is, and holding the three words that changed South Africa’s history. It’s a mesmerizing portrait.
“The words are direct, the words are clear, and the words are very simple. It’s the message of a man who stood for what he believed,” Mr Stein said.
He added that the original photograph, signed by Adv Bizos, will be auctioned off at the end of the series.
Mr Stein said the proceeds will go to the scholarship and bursary fund of the South African Hellenic Education and Technical Institute (Saheti), a school founded under Adv Bizos’ leadership in 1974.
“The fund supports pupils of outstanding ability who are in financial need and gives them the opportunity to receive an outstanding education in a modern, multi-ethnic and non-elitist environment,” said Mr Stein.
Follow the series on Twitter @21icons, www.21icons.com and www.facebook.com/21icons.
