Albie Sachs

Freedom fighter Albie first found his way to Sussex as an exile, having been jailed, placed in solitary confinement and tortured for his involvement in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He studied under the supervision of Professor Colonel Gerald Draper, and was awarded his PhD in 1972.

Albie continued to be active in the anti-apartheid movement and the ANC (African National Congress), for which he was targeted by South African agents. A bomb was planted under his car in Maputo, Mozambique in 1988, which resulted in him losing an arm and the sight in his left eye. 

Undeterred, Albie returned to South Africa in 1990 and took an active role in transitioning the country to a democracy. He helped write the South African Constitution and insisted on a robust Bill of Rights; the Constitution is now considered one of the broadest human rights documents in existence. 

In 1994, President Nelson Mandela appointed Albie to the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg where he was instrumental in legalising same-sex marriage in South Africa.

Albie continues to be a champion for human rights and social justice globally, and we’re delighted that he will be back at Sussex to teach and inspire students and faculty.

As part of a series of events, Albie will very kindly be hosting a fundraising dinner in aid of the Mandela Scholarship at Sussex on Thursday 5 March 2020.

This exclusive event will take place at London’s Conduit Club, a venue which bills itself as a home for a diverse community of people who are passionate about driving positive change, and which boasts a guest chef programme of globally acclaimed cooks from Michelin-starred restaurants.

Pre-dinner, guests will be offered the extraordinary opportunity to listen to Albie in conversation with his friend Helena Kennedy QC.

Tickets for this exclusive evening are £250 per person, or £2,500 for a table (10 people). This will be an intimate event with capacity for only 90 guests. Every penny raised on the night will go directly to the Mandela Scholarship Fund. 

If you are interested in booking a seat or a table at this unique event, please contact Rob Yates, Head of Development in the Development and Alumni Relations Office at Robert.Yates@sussex.ac.uk.

The Draper Lecture 2020 will be held on campus this year, in the Jubilee Lecture Theatre. Visit here for more details and booking.