Key Figures in the Life of Steve Biko and Donald Woods

Posted on Feb 19, 2025 in English

Key Figures in the Lives of Biko and Woods

Secondary Characters:

  • Ken Robertson: Journalist and photographer for the Daily Dispatch.
  • Mamphela Ramphele: A 20-year-old black woman who worked at the Daily Dispatch.
  • Ntsiki: Biko’s wife.
  • Nkosinathi: Biko’s son.
  • Security Policeman: Biko’s minder.
  • Duncan, Dillon, Gavin: Donald’s sons.
  • Mary, Jane: Donald’s daughters.
  • Charlie: Donald’s dog.
  • Wendy: Donald’s wife.
  • Evalina: Donald’s servant.
  • Mapetla Mohapi: Took Donald to the football match.
  • Dyani: Gave Donald the dirty hat in the car on the way to the football match.
  • John Qumza: Drove to the football match.
  • Tenjy Mtintso: A young nurse at the clinic in Zanempilo.
  • Tenjy’s family: Father, mother, son, aunt, and uncle.
  • Three children, Four cousins
  • Mzimbi: A black leader wanted by the security police for advocating violent revolution.
  • Captain de Wet: Police officer who showed Biko the witness box in his office.
  • Judge Regter: Tested Biko’s intelligence in Pretoria.
  • State Prosecutor: Tested Biko’s intelligence in Pretoria.
  • Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Govan Mbeki: Important figures for Biko.
  • Dilima: Elderly night guard at the old church in King William’s Town.
  • Father Kani: Elderly black priest and enthusiastic supporter of Biko.
  • Kruger: Minister of Police who wanted to fight police illegality.
  • Johan: Kruger’s fifteen-year-old son.
  • Fred Lemick: Stood outside Donald’s house when he mentioned having a witness for the church.
  • Samora: Biko’s younger son.
  • Harold Levy: Donald’s lawyer.
  • Doreen: The prettiest typist in the office.
  • Wilfred Cooper: Representative of Mapetla’s family.
  • Captain Schoeman: Security officer of the court.
  • Lawyer: Represented the law in court.
  • Peter Jones: One of Biko’s closest friends.
  • Policeman: Asked Peter for the car keys and papers when he was with Biko.
  • Dr. Hersch: Doctor who recommended Biko be taken to a hospital when he was lying on the prison floor.
  • Officials: Representatives of the British, American, and Swedish governments at Biko’s funeral.
  • Helen Suzman: Woman Donald recognized at Biko’s funeral.
  • Bishop Tutu: Church official at Biko’s funeral.
  • Students: Young children at Biko’s funeral.
  • Bruce McCullough: An Australian man and one of Wood’s oldest friends.
  • Lieutenant Beukes: Security officer.
  • Major Boshoff: Officer who informed Donald he was banned.
  • Policeman: Followed Donald everywhere.
  • Dr. James: Called Wendy when Duncan and Mary were hurt by the T-shirts.
  • Tami Vundla: Black man who helped Donald out of the river.
  • Vorster: Prime Minister.
  • Moses: Black man who helped Woods cross the frontier.
  • Lesotho Official: Saw Donald jumping and dancing after crossing the frontier.
  • Receptionist: Told Donald the High Commissioner wasn’t there, but another man was.
  • Wendy’s parents: Mother and father.
  • James Moffat: Acting High Commissioner.
  • Chief Jonathan, Prime Minister of Lesotho: Acted independently of South Africa.
  • John Monyane: Sympathetic to a liberal white South African.
  • Mr. McElrea: Canadian boss of the three planes that flew out of Lesotho.
  • Richie de Montauk: New Zealander who agreed to fly to England.
  • Two Mechanics: Prepared the plane for Richie’s flight.
  • Maseru: Waiting for the plane to fly.