The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #37961   Message #531641
Posted By: Fiolar
20-Aug-01 - 05:43 AM
Thread Name: OBIT: Donald Woods - RIP
Subject: Donald Woods - RIP
The anti-apartheid activist and journalist Donald Woods has died in hospital in Surrey on Sunday, August 19th 2001. Born in South Africa, he studied at Cape Town University in the early 1950s. After a period in Great Britain as a reporter he returned to South Africa and became editor of East London Daily Dispatch in 1965. In 1973 he met and became friends with Steve Biko. After Biko died in police custody in 1977, Donald lead the outcry against his death. This lead to his arrest and he was made the subject of a five year barring order, banning him from his office and forbidding him to travel, write or speak publicly. In December 1977 he escaped disguised as a priest and settled in London. His story and that of Steve Biko was depicted in the 1987 movie "Cry Freedom." If memory serves me right, I recall Richard Thompson singing the song "Biko" (which has been recorded by many) at the 1982 Leeds Folk Festival. Donald is now re-united with Steve in a happier place. Ar Deis De Le Na Anam.