The distinguished human rights lawyer, Advocate George Bizos, has been given the Freedom of Johannesburg.
Adv Bizos, a founding member of Saheti School in Bedfordview, was bestowed with the Freeman of the City award, the City of Johannesburg’s highest civilian honour, by the executive mayor, Clr Parks Tau at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Malanshof, Randburg, in April.
Present at the special council meeting to bestow the Category A award were Speaker of Council, Clr Constance Bapela. high-profile politicians and councillors, previous recipients of the award such as Ahmed Kathrada and Sophie Williams de Bruin, as well as Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, Deputy Public Protector Kevin Malunga and Ombudsman Siduduzo Gumede.
Clr Tau commended Adv Bizos on his principled stand against inequality and injustice, especially during the Rivonia Trial.
“We bestow this honour, not only in recognition of him being among those who made that noble, supremely principled stand at Madiba’s side, confronting the logic of a deeply illegitimate system with profoundly democratic clarity and eloquence – risking the death penalty and persecution to do it. We also honour the service he gave -and continues to give – to the very democracy he helped lead the struggle to create. And, through him, we honour the values enshrined in our constitutional order, the great refutation of the system our honourees gave his freedom – and risked his life – to bring down,” said Clr Tau.
He said the recognition needed to be matched with positive action.
“To truly honour the recognition we bestow today, to truly consecrate his status as a Freeman of this City, we must commit as we confer the status of Freeman that we will redouble our fight against the consequences of the system he helped bring down.”
Clr Tau said, “Ntate Bizos is a man who has fought consistently for freedom and equality, and our great city is proud to recognise his lifelong commitment to these values. We hope, without arrogance or presumption, to follow him in the path his has opened for us, and to commit ourselves to working for personal and social freedom as he has done so outstandingly.
“As a city and a nation we look up to you, men of principle guided by truth, justice and honesty. We recommit ourselves to emulating you, confronting the challenges of our own day in the spirit of the towering example that you have set for us,” said Clr Tau.
Adv Bizos said he was extremely proud of the honour.
“I accept this honour with pride and take heed that this bestowment is an honour representing the dedication and sacrifices made by all in the fight for freedom,” said Adv Bizos.
Since 1996, the City has bestowed the award on Walter Sisulu, the late former President Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, Dr Beyers Naude, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Rahima Moosa.
