In Memory of Lord Joel Joffe
We are deeply saddened to report the death of Lord Joel Joffe, the brilliant human rights lawyer, political campaigner and long-time friend and benefactor of the Canon Collins Trust.
Lord Joffe leaves behind a remarkable legacy of well-documented legal practice, including defending Nelson Mandela and his co-accused at the infamous Rivonia Trial, but also a lifetime devoted to the promotion of social justice, charity and friendship.
The Canon Collins Trust will be forever grateful to Lord Joffe for the 20 years of dedicated service, and valuable guidance, that he provided as a board member. His fellow Trustees remember him fondly, recalling his eternal warmth, comradery and generosity of spirit.
Just months ago, Lord Joffe reflected on his long relationship with the Canon Collins Trust, contributing an introduction to our Annual Review. He stated: “As an attorney working in the darkest days of apartheid, I experienced first-hand the power of the law as a tool to fight against tyranny and injustice. I am, therefore, extremely pleased to see CCELAT supporting the development of a talented cohort of socially conscious legal scholars in the region through their scholarship programmes. Of equal importance is building upon the close partnership with the Legal Resources Centre, an organisation that has done more than any other in harnessing the law to tackle prevailing inequalities and to uphold the progressive provisions laid out in South Africa’s Constitution.” We hope to do all we can to uphold this important work that was so close to Lord Joffe’s heart.
Lord Joffe passed away at home on June 18th, surrounded by his family. He will be deeply missed by the countless people whose lives he touched.
Read Lord Joffe’s full obituary, written by CCELAT Chairman John Battersby, here and another by anti-apartheid veteran Mac Maharaj, here.