Human rights lawyer George Bizos to receive Special Official Funeral
- The late human rights lawyer George Bizos is set to receive a special official funeral according to President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Bizos was instrumental in the fight for democracy in South Africa
- He is going to be buried on Thursday, the South African flag will be flying half-mast until the day of his funeral
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that human rights lawyer George Bizos will receive a special official funeral, he described him as one of the best legal minds in the country who fought for South Africa's democracy.
Bizos was part of the legal team that defended former president Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki and Walter Sisulu at the Rivonia Treason Trial from 1963-1964. He died peacefully in his home on Wednesday 9 September 2020 at the age of 92.
The president has also declared that the South African flag will fly half-mast on Saturday until his funeral on Thursday. This is to honour Bizos and his contribution to the struggle in South Africa before democracy.
Source: Getty Images
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President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke very highly of George Bizos, on the day of his death the president said:
"The news of the passing of #GeorgeBizos is very sad for us as a country. An incisive legal mind and architect of our Constitution, he contributed immensely to our democracy. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and dip our heads in his honour."
Bizos has also been saluted by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) for his contribution to the ongoing work of the centre. He was also praised for his mentorship of others within the legal profession both inside and outside of the LRC.
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Briefly.co.za previously reported on the 43rd anniversary of Steve Biko's death. On 12 September 1977, South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko died after being in police custody. He died alone at a prison cell in Pretoria.
According to an autopsy, he had sustained extensive brain injuries which caused his death after he had been beaten by police officers. Today, on the 43rd anniversary of his death, the world remembers the struggle icon and what he stood for.
Biko was a strong activist for the Black Consciousness movement and his ideas still remain strong in the minds of the people from his place of birth. Biko was born in Tarkastad, Eastern Cape, and grew up in Ginsberg in the same province. He went on to start studying medicine at university and became involved in student politics. This eventually led to him actively becoming an anti-apartheid activist.
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Source: Briefly News
