Prof Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, Head of Department at The City Law School, received an invitation from the Greek Ambassador to the UK, HE Yannis Tsaousis, to attend an event at the Hellenic Residence last week. This was to pay tribute to the Greek-South African human rights advocate, George Bizos, lifelong friend and lawyer of Nelson Mandela, on the 5th anniversary of George Bizos’ passing and to celebrate his ‘Life and Legacy in Human Rights and Beyond’. Dimitrios was delighted to be accompanied by a number of students from City, and also former PhD student, now Visiting Lecturer, Sekander Zulker Nayeen. Zulker gives us a flavour of the evening below:

Last night, I had the privilege of attending an event at the Hellenic Residence in London, kindly inviting me by Professor Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, Head of The City Law School, City St George’s, University of London. The evening was hosted by the Embassy of Greece in London to mark the fifth anniversary of the passing of George Bizos, one of the towering figures of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The venue itself, the Hellenic Residence, a 300-year-old building, added a sense of historical depth and dignity to the commemoration.

The event shed light on the extraordinary life and legacy of Bizos. Born in Greece, he migrated to South Africa on a small boat as a young boy and went on to become one of the most respected human rights lawyers of his generation. What struck me most was the reminder that behind Nelson Mandela—the globally celebrated leader—stood another giant whose legal insight and courage helped shape the outcome of history. It was Bizos who advised Mandela to insert the phrase “if needs be” into his courtroom speech during the Rivonia Trial, a rhetorical move widely credited with saving Mandela from the death penalty.

Beyond this historic moment, Bizos devoted his life to representing the oppressed and disenfranchised. He stood beside families of anti-apartheid activists before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and he championed victims of the Marikana massacre. His work was not confined to legal advocacy—it was a lifelong contribution to humanity and human rights. Hearing his story made me reflect on how the profession of law, when rooted in courage and conviction, can serve as a force of liberation and justice.

I found it deeply moving that both Greece and South Africa take pride in Bizos as one of their own. His life illustrates how the journey of a refugee child can become a source of strength for entire nations. That dual pride was beautifully reflected in the presence of the South African Ambassador to the UK, who addressed the gathering, and in the attendance of Bizos’ own son and granddaughter, which gave the evening an intimate and poignant touch.

The event was not only an intellectual and emotional experience but also an enriching social one. I enjoyed engaging with members of the Greek community in London. I have always felt a natural affinity with Greek people, perhaps because of the philosophical and cultural influences that resonate so strongly with my own heritage. It was therefore particularly rewarding to build connections in this setting, and I hope to strengthen my links with the Greek Embassy and community in the future.

Overall, the evening was inspiring and thought-provoking. It was a reminder that figures like Bizos exemplify what it means to use the law in the service of justice, humanity, and truth—a legacy that continues to inspire across borders and generations.