Geoff budlender biography channel 6

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.

Geoffrey Budlender SC (born 18 May ) is a South African lawyer known for his involvement in public interest litigation.

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. 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 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. 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 , where the Constitutional Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional.

This is an edited version of a speech delivered by Geoff Budlender which was held in honour of 45 years of the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) on Thursday night.

Under his leadership, the LRC continued its mission to represent the marginalised and fight for systemic change. 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.

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.