Celebrating the life of George Bizos

Rest in Peace

It was a very sad day for the South African Chinese community when we heard the news of the passing of the former anti-apartheid icon and human rights lawyer George Bizos.

In 2008, George Bizos represented the Chinese Association of South Africa in a case where the South African Chinese community were acknowledged by the High Court as being discriminated against during the apartheid regime and recognised as being previously disadvantaged.

From the very first meeting we held with George Bizos, we noticed that he was a man filled with humility and compassion in his fight for the rights of the discriminated and downtrodden. He immediately recognised the issues facing the South African Chinese community and was 100% invested in supporting this case. In the end, Bizos was successful in fighting for the recognition of the South African Chinese people’s 300-year old history in South Africa. He was also successful in fighting for the rights and dignity of this community.

George Bizos was a hero to all South African’s, as well as a hero for the South African Chinese community. He will always be highly regarded and will be remembered for what he did for our community.

On behalf of The Chinese Association (Gauteng) and our members, we wish to offer our deepest condolences to family and friends.

For media enquiries: i nfo@tcagp.co.za

(Photo Credit: www.gq.co.za)

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Press statement and photo supplied by The Chinese Association (Gauteng).

Memorial

Saheti School in Bedfordview held a tribute to Advocate George Bizos SC on Friday 13th November 2020, ahead of what would have been his 93rd birthday on the 15th November 2020.

Erwin Pon [Chairman of The Chinese Association (Gauteng)] and Dr Ivan Jardine (Founder of Project Possible) planted a mulberry tree in his memory during the official opening of the George Bizos Memorial Garden behind the school chapel.

Photo credits: Courtesy of 'Facebook / Saheti School and Tca Gauteng' (Friday, 13th November 2020)

Erwin also described how Advocate Bizos’ work directly helped the South African Chinese community regain their dignity by obtaining Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) status on the 18th June 2008 during a tribute commemorating the late human rights lawyer’s life and his contribution to the Greek school he had helped start in 1974. Watch his full address below:

Video credit: Courtesy of 'Facebook / Tca Gauteng' (Friday,13th November 2020)