GEOFFREY JAMES CHARLES BURTON ( 13 July 1936 - 10 August 2025).

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Geoff Burton.  

A memorial service will be held at St Thomas’s Church, Rondebosch on Friday 15th August at 10 am.

Our condolences go to Mary and their four OD sons, David (1979G), Richard (1981G/K), Paul (1984K) and Keith (1988K) and ten grandchildren of whom Luke (2015K), Michael (2017K), Thomas (2018K) and Drew (2019G) were all at Bishops.

Geoff was at Bishops, matriculating in 1953, and doing post matric in 1954, a school prefect of Gray House.  He then studied at UCT followed by the London School of Economics and London University, and then entered a business career.

Geoff made a lifelong dedication to improving the lives of communities that are less resourced. 

He was admitted to the Order of Simon of Cyrene (with the Southern African Anglican Church), and also received the Bishop Lavis Service to Humanity Award which was first given in 2018 by the Community Chest – the culmination of a lifetime of working to improve many of the lives of underprivileged South Africans.

In addition, he was involved in the support, including the financing, of St Michael’s Primary School in Khayelitsha which managed to remain a private Anglican institution even during the Apartheid era, and continues to provide a higher-than-average level of education to the pupils who attend the school.  Warm meals are also provided free to learners each school day.

Geoff founded The Carpenter’s Shop, a NPO, (now renamed “The Hope Exchange”) in Roeland Street, Cape Town in 1981. This three-storey building was originally known as “The School of Industry “and was closed in 1975.  He took it over soon after then.  He stepped down from the Management Committee in 2021 but continued as the Patron.  It  provides training, and short-term accommodation of up to six months for homeless people. About 100 casual “street people” wash, shower and perform their ablutions there, and can wash clothing each weekday up to 10am.

Geoff was married to Mary Burton, who was national president of The Black Sash, and a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Mary served for ten years on the Bishops Council, the first woman to do so.

A truly great man has left Bishops and the ODU. 

The words of the great American author, poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar, Maya Angelou: “If you're going to live, leave behind a legacy. Make an impact on the world that can never be erased ” ring true for Geoffrey Burton and what he did to enrich the lives of others.  

Requiescat in Pace.