The family of a UK man who assisted former and late Daily Dispatch editor Donald Woods flee South Africa has paid tribute to the role he played on the 40th anniversary of the dramatic escape.
Chris Moffatt from Norfolk in England said his grandfather Jim Moffatt had been the acting UK high commissioner in Lesotho at the time Woods arrived in the country. “Jim held the post when the family arrived and had done for some time,” he said.
“He was an extremely able and affable fellow and enjoyed a very good working and personal relationship with many in the Lesotho government.”
He said his grandfather’s role in the escape had been portrayed in the 1987 film Cry Freedom, which told the story of Woods and Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko.
The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and released in 1987.
“The book and the film portray Jim as a crusty old-style Foreign Office type, which was far from the truth, but then again his character was less than secondary to the story of Steve Biko, which was far more important,” said Moffatt.
Following the death of Biko at the hands of security police in 1977, Woods was stripped of the editorship and placed under a five-year ban.
He was not allowed to speak in public, travel, write or work for the length of his ban and was harassed by security police.
After his daughter was burned by a T-shirt laced with ninhydrin, he fled South Africa for Lesotho on New Year’s Eve in 1977 disguised as an Anglican priest and was later joined by his family.
“Jim and his wife Pam offered Donald Woods hospitality at their home and subsequently hosted the rest of the family who arrived within days: Wendy, Donald’s wife, the four children and Wendy’s brother,” said Moffatt. He said his grandfather handled all subsequent diplomatic dealings with the British and US governments and then organised for a small plane to fly the Woods family to Botswana.
“It was quite a delicate journey since Lesotho is an enclave within South Africa, so the plane had to fly over South Africa in order to get to Botswana.
“From there the family flew to London to start a new life, although they continued their close interest in spreading information about Black Consciousness and the terrible circumstances of death of Steve Biko,” said Moffatt.
He said while the Woods family was living at his grandfather’s house in Maseru, they were visited by members of the international press.
“Film of the family leaving the country escorted by Jim appeared on news programmes in the UK at the time,” he said.
Jim Moffatt was awarded an OBE in 1978 but died suddenly on January 29 1979 while still in Lesotho.
“The Woods family kept in touch with Pam when she returned to the UK in 1979 and she was with the family at the opening of Cry Freedom in 1987.
“As family we’re very proud of the role they played in this important historical occasion.”
Tribute to diplomat who helped Woods escape
Chris Moffatt from Norfolk in England said his grandfather Jim Moffatt had been the acting UK high commissioner in Lesotho at the time Woods arrived in the country. “Jim held the post when the family arrived and had done for some time,” he said.
“He was an extremely able and affable fellow and enjoyed a very good working and personal relationship with many in the Lesotho government.”
He said his grandfather’s role in the escape had been portrayed in the 1987 film Cry Freedom, which told the story of Woods and Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko.
The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and released in 1987.
“The book and the film portray Jim as a crusty old-style Foreign Office type, which was far from the truth, but then again his character was less than secondary to the story of Steve Biko, which was far more important,” said Moffatt.
Following the death of Biko at the hands of security police in 1977, Woods was stripped of the editorship and placed under a five-year ban.
He was not allowed to speak in public, travel, write or work for the length of his ban and was harassed by security police.
After his daughter was burned by a T-shirt laced with ninhydrin, he fled South Africa for Lesotho on New Year’s Eve in 1977 disguised as an Anglican priest and was later joined by his family.
“Jim and his wife Pam offered Donald Woods hospitality at their home and subsequently hosted the rest of the family who arrived within days: Wendy, Donald’s wife, the four children and Wendy’s brother,” said Moffatt. He said his grandfather handled all subsequent diplomatic dealings with the British and US governments and then organised for a small plane to fly the Woods family to Botswana.
“It was quite a delicate journey since Lesotho is an enclave within South Africa, so the plane had to fly over South Africa in order to get to Botswana.
“From there the family flew to London to start a new life, although they continued their close interest in spreading information about Black Consciousness and the terrible circumstances of death of Steve Biko,” said Moffatt.
He said while the Woods family was living at his grandfather’s house in Maseru, they were visited by members of the international press.
“Film of the family leaving the country escorted by Jim appeared on news programmes in the UK at the time,” he said.
Jim Moffatt was awarded an OBE in 1978 but died suddenly on January 29 1979 while still in Lesotho.
“The Woods family kept in touch with Pam when she returned to the UK in 1979 and she was with the family at the opening of Cry Freedom in 1987.
“As family we’re very proud of the role they played in this important historical occasion.”
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