Dialogue held to mark Adv Bizos’ 87th birthday
This year was no exception; he celebrated his 87th birthday among scores of people who attended dialogues held at Saheti School in Bedfordview.
The name Advocate George Bizos is far detached from the 13-year-old Greek boy who could not speak a word of English on first arriving in South Africa in 1941 as a refugee.
Education and determination contributed to the reputation Adv Bizos has today.
Adv Bizos’ birthday celebrations are used to advance an institution close to his heart; education.
This year was no exception; he celebrated his 87th birthday among scores of people who attended dialogues held at Saheti School in Bedfordview.
The dialogues were held in a bid to raise funds for the George Bizos Saheti Scholarship and Bursary Fund.
The mission of the fund is to allow deserving pupils to receive quality education at Saheti School.
Collector’s item books and a portrait of Adv Bizos were auctioned for nearly R100 000.
Adv Bizos said, quoting his all-time friend former President Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world. We brought down apartheid because we had comrades who were so educated. The apartheid government forgot that education can actually make people wiser; they let prisoners study. The likes of Mr Mandela ended up being philosophers because of education,” said Adv Bizos.
Also present on the night was former First Lady Graça Machel.
Ms Machel said the model of development in South Africa must be reversed to ensure that people can access education to rid themselves of poverty and regain their dignity.
“If everyone is educated and skilled, they can regain their dignity and be able to make a decent living,” said Ms Machel.
“We complain about the high levels of crime; this is because people are desperate. When people have options and can get good jobs, there will not be any need to steal or rob,” said Ms Machel.
Dr Sam Ramsamy, the president of the Olympic Committee, spoke about social cohesion.
He said South African should be using sport to encourage social cohesion.
He said the existing status-quo in South Africa, that rugby and cricket are seen as a white sport and that soccer is a black sport, must be reversed.
Dr Ramsamy said every child must be afforded an equal opportunity to reach their full potential, either in sport or education.
“The principle should be providing equal opportunities,”said Dr Ramsamy.
He said opportunities for disabled people must also be maximised.
“We are not fully conscious of this peculiar issue,” he said.
