Celebrating Geoff Budlender SC: A Lifetime of Leadership in Justice and Equality with the George Bizos Human Rights Award
We are honoured to announce that Geoff Budlender SC has been named the fourth recipient of the George Bizos Human Rights Award, an accolade that recognizes exceptional leadership and lifelong dedication to the cause of justice and equality. This award, established in memory of the iconic George Bizos, honours those who embody his legacy of unwavering commitment to human rights. Budlender, one of the most distinguished legal minds of our time, stands as a testament to the spirit of human rights litigation at its finest, embodying the values and principles that both he and Bizos championed.
Geoff Budlender is not only a founder of the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) but also one of the guiding forces behind the legal victories that continue to protect the rights and dignity of countless South Africans. To say we are grateful for his leadership would be an understatement. His career exemplifies the very essence of what it means to stand up for the marginalised and fight against injustice, showing that the law can indeed be a tool for profound societal change.
Born on May 18, 1949, in Port Elizabeth, Budlender’s early life laid the foundation for what would become a lifetime of activism and advocacy. As a student, he was deeply involved in protests against apartheid, notably during the famous Mafeje affair sit-in, where he and fellow students fought the unjust exclusion of black academic staff from the University of Cape Town. His activism caught the attention of the apartheid government, which feared his voice and influence, reportedly referring to him as “the second most dangerous man in South Africa.”
Budlender’s legal journey, after earning his BA LLB in 1975, was shaped by his deep-rooted commitment to justice. He joined a Johannesburg law firm that specialises in defending political activists, representing some of the most important anti-apartheid figures, including Tokyo Sexwale, charged under the draconian Terrorism Act. It was in 1979 that Budlender, alongside Arthur Chaskalson and Felicia Kentridge, co-founded the Legal Resources Centre—a move that would forever change the landscape of human rights law in South Africa.
Budlender’s impact through the LRC is profound. He was instrumental in some of the most significant legal victories in post-apartheid South Africa. One of the most notable was the historic S v Makwanyane case in 1995, where the Constitutional Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. Under his leadership, the LRC continued its mission to represent the marginalised and fight for systemic change. Whether advocating for mineworkers suffering from debilitating lung diseases; silicosis, defending pensioner rights, or holding the government accountable during the social grants crisis, Budlender’s work consistently centred on those most affected by inequality.
His commitment to justice extended beyond the courtroom. Appointed by Nelson Mandela as Director-General of the Department of Land Affairs, Budlender worked to address the deep inequalities in land distribution left by apartheid. Later, as an advocate, his voice resonated in high-profile cases, standing for those who were voiceless.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Budlender has been honoured both locally and internationally, including the prestigious International Bar Association Pro Bono Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Cape Town. In his 2021 acceptance speech for the Pro Bono Award, Budlender reflected on the importance of public interest law, echoing George Bizos’s lifelong belief that the fight for justice never ends.
Geoff Budlender SC’s story is not just one of personal achievement—it is a living example of the power of the law to create a more just world. Through his work, he has demonstrated that human rights litigation is not merely about legal victories but about securing dignity and equality for every person. He represents the calibre of human rights defender that the George Bizos Award seeks to honour.
At the Legal Resources Centre, we are privileged to have worked alongside Geoff Budlender. His legacy is deeply intertwined with our mission and vision for a democratic and just society. As we celebrate him on the 31st of October, we are reminded of the words of George Bizos himself, who once said, “Justice and equality are not privileges, they are rights.” Budlender has spent a lifetime making those rights a reality.
This award is not just a recognition of Budlender’s remarkable achievements; it is a call to all of us to continue the work he and Bizos dedicated their lives to. Geoff Budlender SC’s leadership is a beacon of hope and an inspiration to every advocate, lawyer, and activist fighting for a better world. We are immensely proud to honour him with the George Bizos Human Rights Award, knowing that his work will continue to inspire generations to come.
Photo: David Harrison