Cry Freedom Study Questions and Answers: Steve Biko and Donald Woods

Steve Biko's Funeral, the Banning of Donald Woods, and the Escape to Lesotho

28. Why did Woods hesitate when invited to Biko's funeral?
    Because he wondered how people would react to a white man at the funeral.

29. What emotions were expressed by the crowd at Biko's funeral?
    Sorrow, anger, pride, and determination.

30. Why did Woods want to go to America after Biko's death?
    Woods wanted to go to America to talk about Biko and force the government to have an inquest.

31. What four things was Woods forbidden to do for five years?
    To meet with more than one person at a time, apart from members of his family; to write anything; to enter any printing offices; to leave the district of East London.

32. How did Woods learn that his house was bugged?
    Because a few minutes after he started using his typewriter, the police burst into the house.

33. What were Woods's reasons for wanting to publish his book?
    He wanted Biko's life to be remembered, and he wanted to do something to change the way South Africa was governed.

34. Why did Wendy change her mind about leaving the country?
    Because Mary and Duncan were sent T-shirts containing something in the material which burnt the children's skin.

35. How did Woods disguise himself?
    He disguised himself as an Irish priest, Father David Curren, using the priest's passport, dyed his grey hair black, and did not wear his glasses.

36. Why was 31st December a good date to escape?
    Because everyone would be having parties and drinking, and the police would not be so careful.

37. Why could the Woods family not say goodbye to each other?
    Because the house was bugged and the police would know that Woods was leaving.

38. How did Woods escape from his own house?
    He hid on the floor of the Mercedes, covered with a blanket.

39. Why was Woods unable to walk across the river into Lesotho?
    Because the river was too deep and too fast.

40. How did Woods get to Telle Bridge?
    Tami Vundla drove him in his car.

41. Why did the official say that Woods was a brave man?
    Because he was driving with Moses.

42. When Wendy and the children left the house, where did the watching policeman think they were going?
    To the beach.

43. Why was Woods in such a hurry to get to a phone?
    Because at 10:00 he had to phone Wendy at her parents' home in Umtata.

44. Why was Wendy afraid to talk to Woods on the phone?
    Because she did not know whether he had reached Lesotho or not.

45. Why was it dangerous for the Woods family to fly out of Lesotho?
    Because they had to fly 500 kilometres over South Africa, and the South African Government demanded that all planes leaving Lesotho landed in South Africa before going on.

46. How did Chief Jonathan show his support for Woods?
    By arranging United Nations passports for the Woods family and by sending Monyane to accompany them.