Anti-apartheid campaigner Donald Woods dies at 67

JOHANNESBURG - Donald Woods, one of the best-known campaigners against the apartheid regime in South Africa, has died of cancer, aged 67.

Mr Woods, who fled South Africa for Britain in 1977 after being "banned" by the National Party government, became known across the world through the film 'Cry Freedom' about his friendship with the Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko, who was beaten to death during police interrogation.

The film, directed by Lord Attenborough, was based on a biography written by Mr Woods after he went into exile.

A former editor of South Africa's Daily Dispatch newspaper and the author of seven books, Mr Woods died in hospital in Surrey where he was receiving chemotherapy.

He had been suffering from cancer for two years, and had undergone surgery for the removal of a lung and a kidney. He leaves a wife, Wendy, and five children.

The journalist, who remained in Britain after South Africa's first all-race elections in 1994, visited his home country many times and trained reporters there.

Before his five-year banning order forced him to flee the country, disguised as a priest, he and his family had been subjected to years of harassment.

Slogans were daubed on the walls of his house, the family's post was intercepted, the house bugged and a T-shirt impregnated with acid was sent to one of his children.

- INDEPENDENT