Donald Woods was editor-in-chief of the Daily Dispatch, a newspaper in South Africa. While editor, he integrated the editorial staff (in direct opposition to apartheid) and took up an anti-apartheid stance. However, Woods was originally opposed also to the Black Consciousness Movement, and in particular Steve Biko; they became friends, and Woods was put under ban after the Soweto Uprising.Woods and his entire family (wife and five surviving children) escaped to England via Lesotho after Biko died, and there Woods became an active speaker against apartheid. He spoke in the U.S. and before the U.N. Security Council.Woods died in 2001 of cancer, after traveling back to South Africa after apartheid ended.The 1987 movie Cry Freedom is about Woods, and he and his wife were very involved in the film.
Pleasant, boyish leading man of the 1930s who later moved into mature character roles. Played Perry Mason in one of a series of Warner Brothers B pictures.
Wife Jo was his college sweetheart. They were the parents of two: Linda and Conrad. Conrad became a tennis pro and modern painter.
He was portrayed by actor Kevin Kline in the film Cry Freedom , which was based on his book about anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.
The irony is that by trying to silence me, the [South African],government there has caused me to reach a greater number of people than,I ever could have reached had they left me alone. .
