The family of slain South African black activist Mr Steve Biko yesterday mourned the death of the white newspaper editor who told the story of their friendship to the world.
Mr Donald Woods, whose record of the life, friendship and terrible 1977 death of Mr Biko led to the acclaimed film Cry Freedom, died in London on Sunday. He was 67 and had been ill for some time with cancer.
"Donald's life should be a lesson in particular to the white people of South Africa...that we can all become agents for change," Mr Biko's son, Nkosinathi said.
"He did not always hold the politics for which he became known. It was his preparedness to discuss issues with people like my father that moved him to the centre."
African icon and former South African president Nelson Mandela called Mr Woods an outstanding South African:
"We shall remember him as a personal friend who gave selflessly of himself to advance the cause of his country.
"He was one of those who inspired others by his public example. He was uncompromising in his opposition to racism and racial discrimination."
Mr Woods was editor of the Daily Dispatch in the city of East London when he became friendly with Biko, a leading exponent of the black consciousness theory many whites rejected as reverse racism.
Mr Biko was arrested by apartheid police, tortured and driven in chains to Pretoria, where he died of head injuries in September 1977. Mr Woods ensured this was not just another apartheid murder.
"He had a substantial impact, not only on the country, but on the craft of journalism," said Mr Tony Heard, a former Cape Times editor who is now an adviser to President Thabo Mbeki.
Mr Biko's sister, Ms Bandi Mvovo, rejected critics who have charged that Mr Woods exploited his friend's death.
"I can confidently say that Steve and Donald had a friendship with a lot of respect and it has lasted beyond Steve's death," she told Reuters.
Mr Nkosinathi Biko said his family had been in touch with Mr Woods's family in London throughout his illness. Mr Woods's last visit to South Africa was in May, when he attended Nkosinathi's wedding.
He also dismissed criticism that Mr Woods benefited more from the relationship than his father.
"A man has died and to the extent that we agree with his work we should honour him," he said.
Mr Woods, he revealed, had been given a Xhosa tribal name as a tribute. "They called him Zweliyanyikima - the one that shakes the earth. That is how I would like to honour him when he is buried here," he said.