Header image: George Bizos, Bizos Family Archive
I recently saw the touching and inspirational film, George Bizos Icon.
George Bizos Icon offers a personal and political portrait of George Bizos, using rare and public archive footage, family home videos, and interviews with those who knew him. Told in a loose timeline, it weaves his life and work into a powerful, engaging story. A trailer for the film can be watched at https://vimeo.com/873603071/af25de296f
His son Alexi [Bizos] and partner, Jane [Thandi
Lipman], who were the moving forces behind the
making of the film, were also there, and it was a
heartwarming experience. After the film showing Alexi
and Jane kindly invited me to participate in a Q and A
session and through questions and the film itself many
memories of George came back to me.
The film is a wonderful reminder to all of us, old and
young, of the great courage and principles of
George, and others, who fought apartheid in various
ways at a time when the regime was at its most
brutal and punitive.
Promotional poster for “George Bizos ICON”
Sean Hosey (left), Alexi Bizos (Centre) and George Bizos Icon Director and Executive Producer, Jane Thandi Lipman (Right), September 2024, in conversation during a post-screening Q&A
It was particularly moving for me to see this film, because George Bizos played a very important part in a critical moment of my life.
I am one of the Pretoria six, who, in 1972, faced trial for ‘terrorist’ offences under the catchall apartheid terrorism act. The detailed story of that is available through either the book, or the film, about the London Recruits.
I had been held in Pretoria central prison for eight months, in solitary confinement, before any charges were brought. It was at this juncture that I first met George. He had been appointed as my lawyer by the International Defence and Aid Fund, based in London.
Comrade Tambo’s London Recruits tells the little-known story of young British activists who secretly helped fight apartheid in the ’60s and ’70s. A trailer can be viewed on the London Recruit Film website linked in the blog text.
I recall feeling very nervous at our first meeting, because at that point, I couldn’t be sure that George was not part of the security forces interrogation team. However, he quickly put me at ease by telling me how he had been instructed. He also clearly indicated that anything we said was being recorded by security forces. Therefore, a lot of our consultations were done by writing or peculiar hand signals! I remember that George would often bring a little bit of fruit when he visited. The fruit was most welcome because the prison diet was, to say the least, restricted.
I remember that I only saw George visibly upset once. It was when we had a meeting in the death row section of Pretoria central prison. Prisoners on death row continuously sung in a hauntingly melodious way shortly before some of their comrades were executed. This phenomenon is dramatically shown in the film London Recruits.
Still from George Bizos Icon, courtesy Bizos Family Archive
George is renowned for having said, in respect of apartheid South Africa, that you either succumb or you fight back. He fought back in many ways, but probably his major contribution was in the assistance and legal representation that he offered to many political prisoners during their trials. These trials were ferocious affairs in front of partisan judges.
The Pretoria 6, as our trial became known, received 77 years imprisonment between them. In my case, George’s input probably meant the difference between a five-year sentence, which I received, and a longer period.
George Bizos Icon, screening at Queen Mary University London, extract Sean Hosey, Q&A, courtesy Bizos Family Archive.
After some time, I was relocated to the white section of Pretoria central prison. At that time even prisoners were separated by racial categories. In this part of the prison, I met legendary anti-apartheid activists Bram Fisher, Dennis Goldberg, Marius Schoon and Dave Kitson who were serving life or 20-year sentences.
The treatment of all political prisoners under apartheid was vindictive and cruel. For example, all news of the outside world was prohibited. So, no newspapers, radio broadcasts, or information from visitors was permitted about events in the outside world.
This undoubtedly caused psychological damage to all political prisoners which impacted them both whilst in prison and afterwards in ways that probably are not fully understood. During the apartheid years, South Africa had one of the highest execution rates in the world. Corporal, punishment of prisoners, particularly black prisoners was savage and frequent.
Looking back, I owe my survival, certainly legal and to some extent, emotional, in no small part to people like George, who stood up when it mattered most. His quiet defiance, his empathy, and his refusal to be intimidated by a brutal regime embody the very spirit of resistance that sustained so many of us. Though the scars of that era remain, the solidarity and courage of those who fought – in courtrooms, prisons, and communities – continue to inspire. The struggle against injustice is far from over. Around the world, systems of repression still silence dissent, marginalize the vulnerable, and manipulate the law to serve power. Our experience under apartheid serves as a stark reminder that legal systems are not inherently just; they are only as just as those who defend the rights of the voiceless within them. That is why remembering, speaking out, and standing firm – as George did – remain urgent and necessary acts.
by Sean Hosey, July 2025
