South Africans are mourning the death of Donald Woods, a white newspaper editor who began a long crusade against apartheid in the 1970s. Mr. Woods, 67, died Sunday near London after a two-year battle with cancer.
Donald Woods is the journalist who first told the world about Steve Biko, a South African black activist who was killed during detention in 1977. Mr. Woods had befriended Mr. Biko a few years earlier. The young Mr. Biko and his Black Consciousness Movement had impressed the white editor.
Director Richard Attenborough later told the story of the relationship between Mr. Woods and Mr. Biko in the film "Cry Freedom".
South Africa's ruling National Party punished Mr. Woods soon after his reports on the Biko killing. He was forbidden to write or speak publicly or meet with more than one person at a time outside his home.
He fled to Britain with his family after the ban was imposed. From his base in London, he continued his campaign against apartheid.
Eulogies of Mr. Woods are pouring in from South Africa. Former President Nelson Mandela says Mr. Woods gave "selflessly" for the anti-apartheid cause.
South African presidential advisor Tony Heard says Mr. Woods taught his countrymen "the need for creative courage."
After a funeral in London, the Woods family plans to take his ashes back to South Africa for burial.