George Bizos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Bizos
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Bizos in 2014
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| Born | 14 November 1927 Vasilitsi, Messenia, Second Hellenic Republic
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| Died | 9 September 2020 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | Greek South African |
| Alma mater | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupation | Human rights lawyer |
| Spouse(s) |
Arethe Daflos
(m. 1948; died 2017) |
| Children | 3 |
George Bizos (1927–2020) was a famous Greek-South African lawyer. He spent his life fighting for human rights. He was especially known for working against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a system that separated people by race and treated non-white people unfairly.
Bizos helped many people who were treated badly because of apartheid. He famously represented Nelson Mandela, a leader who fought against apartheid. Bizos's advice during Mandela's trial might have saved Mandela's life. He also helped families of activists who died fighting for freedom.
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Early Life
George Bizos was born in a small village in Greece on November 14, 1927. His father, Antonios Bizos, was the mayor of their village. When George was 13, in 1941, World War II was happening. German soldiers had taken over Greece.
George and his father helped seven soldiers from New Zealand hide from the Germans. They then tried to escape by sea in a small boat. They used a simple compass and a map to find their way. After a difficult journey, they were rescued by a British warship. The ship took them to Egypt.
From Egypt, George and his father became refugees. They traveled to South Africa. When they arrived in Johannesburg, some people were not happy about refugees coming to the country. George did not speak English or Afrikaans at first. The local Greek community helped him settle in.
In 1949, George started studying at the University of the Witwatersrand. This is where he met Nelson Mandela. They became good friends. George studied law and became interested in politics during this time.
Fighting for Justice
Standing Up Against Apartheid
George Bizos became a lawyer in 1954. He quickly started defending people who were fighting against apartheid. Apartheid was a cruel system in South Africa. It meant that white people had many rights, but Black people and other non-white groups had very few. They were forced to live in separate areas and had different schools and hospitals.
From 1963 to 1964, Bizos was part of the legal team that defended Nelson Mandela and other leaders. This was called the Rivonia Trial. These leaders were accused of trying to overthrow the government. They faced the death penalty. Bizos advised Mandela to add a special phrase to his famous speech: "if needs be." This phrase suggested that Mandela was prepared to die for freedom, but it also showed he wasn't seeking death. Many believe this small change helped save Mandela and his friends from being sentenced to death. Instead, they received life in prison.
Bizos worked on many other important cases against apartheid. He defended Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandela's wife, and other activists. He also helped students who were charged for supporting the African National Congress, a group fighting apartheid. In 1979, he helped start the Lawyers for Human Rights group.
Building a New South Africa
After apartheid ended in 1990, George Bizos continued his work. He joined the African National Congress's legal team. He helped write the new laws for South Africa. He was involved in creating the Truth and Reconciliation Bill. This law helped South Africa deal with the wrongs of the past. It allowed victims to tell their stories and helped the country heal.
Bizos also argued in court that the death penalty was wrong and against the new constitution. He believed everyone had a right to life. He also helped Nelson Mandela with legal issues after Mandela became president. Bizos continued to fight for fairness for all people in South Africa. For example, he helped Chinese South Africans get the same benefits as other groups who were disadvantaged under apartheid.
A Film About History
In 2017, George Bizos appeared in a documentary film called Life is Wonderful. The film told the story of the Rivonia Trial. Bizos was in the film with other lawyers and people who were on trial with Mandela. The title of the film came from something one of the defendants said when they found out they would not be sentenced to death.
People He Helped
George Bizos represented many important people. Here are some of them:
- Nelson Mandela, a key leader against apartheid.
- Trevor Huddleston, a priest who fought against apartheid.
- Mac Maharaj, another anti-apartheid activist.
- Govan Mbeki and Walter Sisulu, leaders tried with Mandela in the Rivonia Trial.
- The families of Ahmed Timol, Steve Biko, and Neil Aggett, who died while in police custody.
- Chris Hani's family, during a hearing about his death.
- Morgan Tsvangirai, a political leader from Zimbabwe.
- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Nelson Mandela's wife.
Other Important Work
In the 1970s, Bizos helped start a Greek school called SAHETI. This school taught about Greek culture but welcomed students from all backgrounds. Even during apartheid, it was a place where children of different races could learn together. For example, the children of Chris Hani, another anti-apartheid leader, went to this school.
Later in his life, Bizos was involved in a legal dispute with Nelson Mandela's daughters. He was a director of two of Mandela's companies. Bizos believed that Mandela's daughters were trying to sell things that should be kept to honor Mandela's legacy. He stood firm in protecting Mandela's wishes.
Personal Life
George Bizos was married to Arethe Daflos, who everyone called "Rita." They met in 1948 when Rita was an art student. They had three sons together. Rita passed away in 2017, just before George's 90th birthday.
George Bizos died peacefully at home on September 9, 2020. He was 92 years old. He was given a special state funeral, which is a big honor. He was buried next to his wife, Rita.
Awards and Legacy
George Bizos received many awards for his work.
- In 1999, President Nelson Mandela gave him the Order for Meritorious Service medal.
- In 2001, he won the International Trial Lawyer Prize of the Year.
- In 2004, he received the Bernard Simons Memorial Award.
His legacy lives on through:
- The George Bizos Saheti Scholarship and Bursary Fund, which helps students with their education.
- The Arethe Daflos-Bizos Arts Scholarship, created to honor his late wife.
Books by George Bizos
- No One to Blame?: In Pursuit of Justice in South Africa (1998)
- Odyssey to Freedom (2011)
- 65 Years of Friendship (2017)
See also
In Spanish: George Bizos para niños
