SOUND MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
King Arthur
Extraordinary Life: Arthur Chaskalson
Arthur Chaskalson, who was part of the legal team that saved Nelson Mandela from the gallows, was the first President of South Africa's Constitutional Court and the country’s Chief Justice from 2001 to 2005. After matriculating from Hilton College in Natal he graduated with commerce and law degrees at Wits and established a flourishing law practice, dividing his work between commercial law and representing anti-apartheid activists. In 1978, he founded the Legal Resources Centre, which offered free legal services for poor people. The LRC successfully challenged apartheid laws. Arthur Chaskalson – a brilliant legal mind, a human rights champion - died in 2012 of leukaemia. He was 81.
Nominated by: Justice Edwin Cameron
Edwin Cameron is a Constitutional Court judge, gay rights activist, and author of the books, Witness to Aids and Justice: A personal account. Arthur had a profound influence on Edwin’s life and, says Edwin, there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t think of his mentor. It was Arthur he turned to when he wanted advice on whether it was time to make a public announcement that he was HIV-positive. “His advice,” recalls Edwin, “was perfect Arthur.”
Expert: Judge Lee Bozalek
Western Cape High Court Judge Lee Bozalek says that when he met Arthur in 1978, Arthur was already a legend. Lee was the director of the Legal Resources Centre in Cape Town. He says the flourishing centre is just one of Arthur’s legacies - although, Lee points out, Arthur would never “claim” any accomplishments. Lee says Arthur will be remembered as one of the greatest legal minds South Africa has ever produced.
