Donald Woods: South African Editor, Writer and Anti-Apartheid Activist

Real journalism takes courage. As Leonard Downie and Robert Kaiser write in their book, The News About the News: American Journalism in Peril, “good journalismâÂ?¦frequently changes the lives of citizens, both grand and ordinary,” (Downie and Kaiser, 1). Donald Woods, a journalist and the editor of The Daily Dispatch, certainly changed the lives of countless South Africans living under the oppressive and destructive apartheid system. By running the stories no other prominent publication had the guts to publish and pursuing discourse and communication in a politically polarized media, Woods effectively gave a voice to the Black Consciousness movement fighting against the oppression of apartheid, a fair and critical news analysis when merited to both the government and its opposition and a glimmer of hope to South Africans seeking a system and a press to stand up against corruption. Woods brought courage and strong journalistic principles to the newsroom during the tumultuous 1970s and proved to the world that good journalism can indeed inspire truth and change during conflict.

Woods, born in 1933 to a wealthy family in East London, South Africa, grew up as a beneficiary of the apartheid system. He studied law at University of Cape town and was an avid student of politics and law. Woods gained “rapid all-round experience as reporter, sub-editor, political correspondent, parliamentary correspondent, columnist/leader writer, assistant editor and deputy editor” (Daily Dispatch) at the Dispatch and became editor-in-chief in 1965. His versatility and dedication as a reporter exemplifies his skills as a journalist ready and willing to tackle any issue or event. As editor-in-chief of the Dispatch, Woods criticized and followed both the actions of the National Party and reactionary groups and movements. In his blog, “News Dissector,” journslist Danny Schfecheter, who wrote about Woods’ efforts and worked with him during the 1970s, notes that, “Even though [Woods] didn’t share the politics of the liberation movements, he was respected by them” (News Dissector). Woods succeeded in producing fair political coverage despite his personal bias and ideology, always choosing the “right” story over one that might advance his own agenda. This nonpartisan approach to coverage was particularly brave under the harsh rule of the corrupt and secretive National Party.

Woods hired black reporters and staff to work in his newsroom, a particularly controversial move under the strict segregation laws at the time. Through his editorials and management decisions, Woods provided important political and public support to those whose voices were being suppressed by the government, particularly Steven Biko, an anti-apartheid activist who led the nation’s Black Consciousness movement.

Woods is arguably best known for his contentious relationship with Biko. Supporters of the Black Consciousness Movement criticized the Dispatch for writing inaccurate stories about the group and its aims. Instead of being defensive and dismissing the claims, Woods agreed to meet with Biko, an enemy of the government, to get a clear view on his movement and its intentions and ideology. A strong friendship and understanding was formed after the meeting, and Woods continued to support Biko and his activities despite negative reactions from the government.

Woods’ friendship with Biko led him to break one of the most important news stories in recent South African history. In 1977, Biko, who had been put on house-arrest by South African authorities, was kidnapped by the police, beaten to death and transported over 700 miles naked in the back of a van. The government later identified his death as a result of a hunger strike. Woods and a photographer snuck into the morgue and collected evidence, including photographs, proving that the authorities murdered Biko. This groundbreaking story, undoubtedly Woods’ finest work, challenged the corruption in the government, exposed the brutality and injustice of the apartheid system and helped indict the government in the deaths of twenty other anti-apartheid activist, all of whose deaths had previously been publicly attributed to suicide or hunger-strike. The story shocked the international community, documenting proof of the cruelty and inhumanity of the government.

Publishing this story took great courage for Woods, who, besides running a well-respected and popular newspaper, was the father of a large family. After printing the piece, Woods was subjected to much harassment by South African authorities. He was effectively put on house arrest to prevent him from fully engaging in the publication of the Dispatch and he received numerous threats to the health and safety of him and his family. The harassment culminated when the South African security forces intercepted a package of t-shirts intended for his daughter and sprayed them with chemical agents. Upon arrival, the girls tried on the t-shirts and were immediately affected by life-threatening allergic reactions to the chemicals. Following the incident, Woods and his family narrowly escaped harm and sought exile in England. From England, Woods continued his campaign as an anti-apartheid activist and wrote for numerous publications. Shortly after, he became the first citizen to address the United Nations Security Council when he spoke on the oppressive and brutal operations of the National Party. In addition to his activism, Woods put time and effort into The Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannasburg, South Africa, in hopes of giving journalistic education and inspiration to those victimized by the apartheid system.

My first encounter with Woods’ work came in my senior year history class, Modern Times. After studying apartheid in South Africa, my teacher showed us a film based on the friendship between Biko and Woods. As I watched Cry Freedom, which was released in 1987 and produced in close connection with the Woods family, I was captivated by the courage, honor and strong values with which Woods conducted his journalistic career. The courage to pursue the truth and uphold journalistic ethics in times of adversity is the utmost quality I consider when defining a good journalist.

We live in a world where the power of the truth struggles to survive amongst the perpetual spinning of the political and social media. Journalists struggle to tell the world’s stories with passion and gusto, capturing the attention of audiences swimming in the distractions of a sensationalized and over stimulated world. The work and life of Donald Woods proves the power of the press and of the individual voice to instigate change. His dedication and valor remind me that a sheet of newsprint contains can withstand the ominous strength of corrupt institutions and unjust circumstances and that the truth, when pursued with fervor and integrity, cannot be muted even by the strongest opposition. Donald Woods is an excellent example for aspiring journalists. His works and actions under the oppressive rule of the National Party truly cried freedom.

Works Referenced:

Attenborough, Richard. Cry Freedom. (1987).

Downie, Leonard and Kaiser, Robert. The News About the News: American Journalism in Peril. New York, 2003. Vintage Books.

“History of the Daily Dispatch” Accessed at: http://www.dispatch.co.za/history2.html

Schechter, Danny. “Remembering Donald Woods” Posted on News Dissector. 8/20/01. Accessed at: http://www.newsdissector.org/blog/2001/08/20/remembering-donald-woods/