
Issue No 61		07 July 2000

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News

Biko Backer Tours Australia

By Peter Ross

Respected South African journalist, Donald Woods, is visiting Australia and NZ for a 16 day speaking tour on behalf of the Fred Hollows Foundation focusing on the need for economic and social reinvestment in South Africa and the region.

Donald Woods is the former editor of the Daily Despatch newspaper in Eastern Cape and is best known as the newspaper chief who published editorials challenging the apartheid regime in South Africa, in particular its role in the death of young black activist Steve Biko. He was arrested in 1978 for his editorials challenging the apartheid policies of the former Government.

Woods was, as portrayed in the 1988 Sir Richard Attenborough film, "Cry Freedom", important in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa, largely because of the tough economic sanctions he urged the rest of the Western world to impose on his government.

As an exile in 1978, Woods commenced his twelve-year campaign on the speakers' circuit by becoming the first civilian to address the UN Security Council. After living in the UK for the past 20 years, Woods recently spent 18 months in Johannesburg as the International Representative for Africa at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ).

"I am eagerly looking forward to visiting Australia for the fourth time," he said. "I am interested in getting first hand briefings on local matters that have racial connotations. The difficulties faced by Australian indigenous people and also the breakdown of government in Fiji and the Solomon Islands will be two matters that I will write about upon my return to the United Kingdom.

"I have been most concerned to hear comments that some countries may be considering the introduction of apartheid style policies into their constitutions."

During his short tour of Australia and New Zealand, Woods will be addressing and informing audiences about the realities of the social, political and economic life in contemporary South Africa.

Dates are as follows:

Thursday 13 July - National Press Club, Canberra (12-2pm)

Monday 17 July - Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane (12-2pm)

Tuesday 18 July - Lyrics Restaurant, Adelaide Festival Centre (12.30 - 2pm)

Wednesday 19 July - Parliament House, Melbourne (12-2pm)

Thursday 20 July - Parliament House, Sydney (12-2pm)

Thursday 20 July - Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW (6 - 7.30pm)

Friday 21 July - Western Australia Club, Perth (7.30-9am)

For booking information, please visit The Fred Hollows Foundation website at: www.hollows.com.au

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  Issue 61 contents

Technology: Union Rep for Global Net Body
The godfather of unions and the Internet, Eric Lee, is seeking your support to give labour a voice on the net's governing body, ICANN.

Interview: Downloaded and Done Over
In the wake of the TV Networks' digital TV victory, Internet industry chief Peter Coroneus rues a missed opportunity for Australia.

Legal: The Global Millennium Project
The International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) has developed a draft proposal for a comprehensive revision and modernisation of international labour standards for the new millenium.

Unions: Sandgropers Get Serious on Stress
The Australian Services Union in Western Australia in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, is surveying workers across the state's call centre industry.

Politics: New Work for a New Millennium
View in full the ALP's Draft Industrial Relations Policy to be taken to the National Conference at the end of the month.

Solidarity: Korean Hotel Workers Seek Global Help
Striking Korean hotel workers at the Swiss Grand Hotel and the Seoul Hilton are worried they could be the next targets of escalating riot police violence.

History: Vince's Parable of the Sundial
How a working man survived WWII and ASIO blacklists to save a sundial.

International: Room for Optimism from African Poll
The performance of pro-Deomcracy groups in the Zimbabwean elections has given supporters hope for better days.

Environment: Mexican Wave Goes Green
American politics has taken on a Green hue with the left leaning National Action Party and the Greens in Mexico picking up nearly 40% of the vote in the recent elections.

Satire: Aussies Celebrate Centenary by Leaving Country
Prime Minister John Howard has defended his government's decision not to involve Australia in the centenary federation celebrations.

Review: A Building Sings of Lives Lived in Music
Mysterious shadows flicker in the windows of the Parramatta Town Hall. Strains of trumpet and sarod float outside. It's all part of the urban Theatre Project's latest work, 'The Palais'.

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