"He has a story you need to hear"
The Hon I.D. Smith
Former Rhodesian Prime Minister

Kevin Woods was sentenced to death in Zimbabwe and jailed for nearly 20 years by Robert Mugabe. For more than 5 years of his detention he was held in the shadow of Mugabe's gallows, naked in solitary confinement,  and totally cut off from the world.

Kevin Woods had been a senior member of Robert Mugabe's intelligence organization, the CIO, and was jailed for politically motivated activity, on behalf of the old South African Government, against the ANC, who's guerrillas at that time were taking refuge in Zimbabwe, from where they would springboard armed raids into South Africa.

From Mugabe's confidante, to condemned prisoner, he will recount his life on the edge, as a double agent. He will relate to you the desolation of being abandoned when he was compromised and detained, and also his lone fight to maintain his humanity, self dignity and sanity in a prison system that belongs to the middle ages.

Kevin Woods was removed from society and with his fundamental human rights arbitrarily withdrawn, he has been there, done that, and has got the T-shirt when it comes to stress management, utter hopelessness, and coping under the most desperate conditions imaginable.

Kevin Woods will try to inspire you to take an introspective look at your own life, your careers, and your aspirations and ambitions. Hopefully he will motivate you to new heights, far removed from emotions such as self-pity and depression; which if ignored can all too suddenly creep up on us unawares, and make us all feel like we just cannot get through another day

His story, unlike so many others, has a happy ending with hugging his, (now adult) children, and meeting Nelson Mandela (who tried to get him released) being the highlights.

What People had to Say

At our Annual General Meeting of Natal Forum a very special speaker, Kevin Woods, addressed 294 of our members. In the 33 years that our organisation has been in existence there have only ever been 3 people that have received a Standing Ovation and I am delighted to state that Kevin Woods was one of these.

Kevin touched our hearts with his recital of his experiences while on Death Row in Robert Mugabe's prisons in Harare. His honest and profound message not only stimulated us all but the manner that he coped by drawing on his very deep Faith and the knowledge that Gods Presence was with him at all times made us all take a very good look at ourselves and realise how blessed we all are in what we take for granted. There are no words that can describe our sincere appreciation of this very humble but honest man as we looked through his eyes at the near 20 years of his life that are gone forever - how he has emerged with the strength of mind and character without a trace of anger can only be attributed to the love in his soul.

We at Natal Forum would recommend that everyone should hear his story and be empowered by his experience.

Most sincerely,
Sue Simpkins
Natal Forum President.