Justice Albie Sachs book launch |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jun 12 2010 |
In his book published by Oxford University Press, Judge Sachs shares in intimate fashion what it has been like to be a judge in post-apartheid South Africa and how his extraordinary life has influenced his approach to the cases before him, and his views on the nature of justice and its achievement through law.
Judge Sachs described his career as thrilling, absorbing, exhausting and wonderful.
Every moment has been wondrous, even the painful ones. To help develop the deep principles for which we fought so hard has been continuously enthralling.
“What inspired me to write this book was to share with the readers the actual passion and intellectual drama of being a judge, someone who is supposed to be a cold rational creature and abstracted from the world,” Judge Sachs said.
“It is our great pleasure as the Constitution Hill Trust to be a part of history today as we celebrate the illustrious career of one of South Africa’s devoted sons. Justice Albie Sachs’ term of office as a sitting Judge of the Constitutional Court will expire this month.
“Justice Sachs will be on hand to sign copies of the book in the Nelson Mandela cell in the Old Fort on Constitution Hill. Walking tours of the Hill with Justice Sachs will be available by prior arrangement,” said Dr Ivan May, the Chief Executive of the Constitution Hill Trust.
In its review of the book, The Sunday Independent had this to say, “Albie Sachs, Justice of the Constitutional Court, is not a man to go out with a whimper. He gives the impression that he will leave kicking and screaming at midnight on October 11, when his term at the court ends. Among the many identities he claims as activist, humanist, rationalist, law professor and writer, his artistic temperament has in the past revealed a flamboyant side of a passionate personality.”
Judge Sachs described his career as thrilling, absorbing, exhausting and wonderful.
Every moment has been wondrous, even the painful ones. To help develop the deep principles for which we fought so hard has been continuously enthralling.
“What inspired me to write this book was to share with the readers the actual passion and intellectual drama of being a judge, someone who is supposed to be a cold rational creature and abstracted from the world,” Judge Sachs said.
“It is our great pleasure as the Constitution Hill Trust to be a part of history today as we celebrate the illustrious career of one of South Africa’s devoted sons. Justice Albie Sachs’ term of office as a sitting Judge of the Constitutional Court will expire this month.
“Justice Sachs will be on hand to sign copies of the book in the Nelson Mandela cell in the Old Fort on Constitution Hill. Walking tours of the Hill with Justice Sachs will be available by prior arrangement,” said Dr Ivan May, the Chief Executive of the Constitution Hill Trust.
In its review of the book, The Sunday Independent had this to say, “Albie Sachs, Justice of the Constitutional Court, is not a man to go out with a whimper. He gives the impression that he will leave kicking and screaming at midnight on October 11, when his term at the court ends. Among the many identities he claims as activist, humanist, rationalist, law professor and writer, his artistic temperament has in the past revealed a flamboyant side of a passionate personality.”
Situated at the Old Fort Prison complex, on the outskirts of Hillbrow, Constitution Hill is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the rapidly changing landscape of the city of Johannesburg.
Virtually every important leader from Nelson Mandela, to Mahatma Gandhi and Albertina Sisulu as well as scores of ordinary South Africans caught up in the web of the apartheid regime, were been detained at Constitution Hill.
Today, the Constitution Hill Trust is now a major educational centre in Johannesburg where visitors learn in great detail about the injustices of the country’s history.
Visitors can also learn about Human Rights, Democracy, and Constitutionalism and it also establishes a dialogue between communities, tourists, schools and media.
“The Constitution Hill Trust is extremely happy to join with Oxford University Press in launching this very significant literary work which goes a long way in promoting Human Rights, Democracy and Constitutionalism in South Africa,” Dr May said.
ENDS
“The Constitution Hill Trust is extremely happy to join with Oxford University Press in launching this very significant literary work which goes a long way in promoting Human Rights, Democracy and Constitutionalism in South Africa,” Dr May said.
ENDS
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The Constitutional Hill Trust is a private entity that promotes constitutionality, human rights and democracy through educational programmes that are conducted at the Constitution Hill; it also establishes a dialogue between communities, tourists, schools and media.
Last changed: Jun 12 2010 at 8:23 PM
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The Chief Executive of The Constitution Hill Trust Dr Ivan May speaks during the official launch of former Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs’ book, The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law. The launch also coincided with Sachs’ farewell ceremony. “It is our great pleasure as the Constitution Hill Trust to be a part of history today as we celebrate the illustrious career of one of South Africa’s devoted sons,” May said.
Former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Arthur Chaskalson listens on during the launch of The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law, a book by his colleague former Constitutional Court Judge, Arthur Chaskalson in October 2009 at the Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. “What inspired me to write this book was to share with the readers the actual passion and intellectual drama of being a judge, someone who is supposed to be a cold rational creature and abstracted from the world,” Sachs said.
The Constitution Hill members of staff perform a song in honour of former Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs during his farewell ceremony and launch of his new book The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law. Situated at the Old Fort Prison complex, on the outskirts of Hillbrow, Constitution Hill is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the rapidly changing landscape of the city of Johannesburg. Virtually every important leader from Nelson Mandela, to Mahatma Gandhi and Albertina Sisulu as well as scores of ordinary South Africans caught up in the web of the apartheid regime, were been detained at Constitution Hill.
Radio Presenter and author, Jenny Crys-Williams was one of the distinguished speakers at the official launch of former Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs’s book titled The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law. The launch also doubled up as a farewell ceremony for Sachs who served the Court for 15 years. The book is published by Oxford University Press and was launched at The Constitution Hill, Johannesburg in October 2009.
Former Constitutional Court Judge, Albie Sachs, signs a copy of his new book The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law during its launch in October 2009. In the book published by Oxford University Press, Judge Sachs shares in intimate fashion what it has been like to be a judge in post-apartheid South Africa and how his extraordinary life has influenced his approach to the cases before him, and his views on the nature of justice and its achievement through law.