Steve Biko’s Life and Death in South Africa
Chapter 1: The Story Starts in East London
The story begins in East London, at the local newspaper where Donald Woods is the editor. Woods looks at pictures revealing how white employers benefited from illegal workers. Woods decides to publish the news, but Mamphlea suggests he investigate further before publishing.
Chapters 2 and 3: Meeting Steven Biko
Some days later, Woods meets Steven Biko in an old church where Biko plans to establish a center for Black people. The clinic is exclusively for Black people, with Black workers and a Black doctor. While Woods believes that Black and White people should work together, he understands the Black community’s desire for self-reliance. Biko invites Woods to witness the living conditions of Black people in South Africa.
Chapter 4: Planning a Visit
Three weeks later, Woods and Biko plan to visit Black workers, devising a strategy to avoid imprisonment since Biko is restricted to his area.
Chapter 5: Visiting a Black Family
Upon arriving in the Black district, Woods and Biko visit a Black family. The family tells Woods that “the whites” aim to control South Africa, and Woods acknowledges that they intend to use Black people as servants.
Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9: Reporting and Resistance
Weeks later, Woods returns to the local newspaper to report on the suffering of “the blacks.” Woods and Ken revisit a football match of “the blacks.” Mzimbi and Biko advocate for a forceful revolution, receiving applause. Subsequently, police officers take Biko to the police station on suspicion. Biko faces trial because Woods’ newspaper was the only one to publish the news. Woods is briefly imprisoned but quickly released. That same night, hooded individuals, identified as the captain of police and his colleagues, attack the church. Woods reports the assault to the police minister, but weeks later, the police search Woods’ house, finding nothing.
Chapter 10: Arrests and Inquest
One night, two policemen check the passport of Woods’ Black housekeeper, Evalina. Woods ejects them from his property. Two days later, Tenjy is arrested without charges. After a week, Mapetla dies. Tenjy is the main witness at the inquest, but the judge closes it.
Chapter 11: Biko’s Journey to Cape Town
Biko drives to Cape Town to speak at an important meeting of Black students, despite knowing it’s forbidden. Six days later, the police summon a doctor to examine Biko. The doctor is powerless against the police, who place Biko on a blanket in the back of a Land Rover.
Chapter 12: Biko’s Death and Aftermath
Biko dies, and Woods publishes an article titled “BIKO DIES IN CUSTODY.” The Minister of Police denies police responsibility, claiming Biko was arrested outside his banning area and died from self-starvation. After a speech, the crowd sings the African Song that Steven Biko loved.
Chapter 13: Seeking Wider Coverage
Woods wants other newspapers to report on Biko’s death, fearing that if he does, the government will shut down the Daily Dispatch. However, other newspapers are also afraid and unwilling to challenge the system. At the airport, two security officers stop Woods and take him to an office.
Chapter 14: Writing Biko’s Story
Although the police forbid Woods from writing, he begins writing a book about Biko’s life, believing that Biko’s ideas must live on. A few days later, Woods’ children receive an anonymous parcel. After this unsettling experience, Wendy also supports publishing the book.