Justice Albie Sachs is coming to Winnipeg, all the way from South Africa. His lecture’s title, “Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter”   is taken from the title of one of his two award winning books. He will address how states can work together, negotiate and implement human rights. Sachs’ work in human rights has global impact, and local application. 

Albie Sachs has been awarded, celebrated, assassinated – almost (1988), jailed and exiled (1966). In all this, the 76 year old has always been fearless, despite loss of a limb and one eye in a failed attempt to kill him. His own life story mirrors that of S. Africa and the region.
Sachs is a lifelong human rights activist. He is also an implementer. On the Constitution Committee of South Africa he was charged with drafting a charter for a new non-racial state.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela appointed him to one of the 11 new seats on the Constitutional Court where he served for 15 years and won praise and recognition from jurists all over the free world for his achievement in placing South Africa as a leader in the legal recognition of human rights. Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in relation to Residential Schools was adapted from his model. 

On January 17, 2013 Chief Justice Willy Mutanga swore Sachs in as a member of the newly created Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board, to clean up systemic corruption, in Kenya. Of his position Sachs said, “I have done almost everything, but I have never judged judges.”
To take the oath, he raised what was left of his right arm from the bomb blast near his home in Maputo, Mozambique and looked his future squarely with his one remaining eye.

More information is to follow on this resilient human rights fighter, author and speaker.
See IMAGES: awards, assassination attempt, honours with Desmond Tutu & more at: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/sac0gal-1

The lecture series is presented annually by the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada (JHC).  The centre preserves and shares information about the history of the Jews of Western Canada, in particular Manitoba, and raises awareness and understanding of the Holocaust.

Event Time and Location:   Thursday, April 11, 2013    8:00 P.M.       
Shaarey Zedek Synagogue  561 Wellington Crescent                    

For more information on JHCWC or sponsorship queries: 477-7460  -  admin office

Media (only) CONTACT:  Rona Davies, Co-Chair of the 8th Annual S & F. Kanee lecture of the Jewish Heritage Centre. Direct phone: 204-489-2415. [email protected]