Peter Cyril Jones, Black Consciousness stalwart, to receive Special Provincial Funeral

Peter Cyril Jones died aged 72 in Pringle Bay, Western Cape, on 15 February. The anti-apartheid activist was one of the leaders of the Black People’s Convention and is known as the “last black person” to see Steve Biko alive. Jones was also once the Vice President of the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO)

SPECIAL PROVINCIAL FUNERAL FOR PETER CYRIL JONES

On Wednesday, 8 March, the Western Cape government confirmed Jones, known as PC to his comrades, would receive a Special Provincial Official Funeral.

“Mr Jones was a founding member of the Black Consciousness Movement. He made an indelible impact through his contribution to the liberation struggle,” said the provincial government.

Jones’ funeral will be held at St George’s Cathedral in Wale Street at 11:00 on Friday, 10 March. It is open to members of the public.

BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS STALWART

Steve Biko’s son, Nkosinathi, said Jones’ death followed a long period of illness. He reportedly suffered multiple strokes – the first one occurred in 2019. AZAPO said the 2019 stroke left Jones incapacitated and “led to a perpetual decline in his health.”

Biko wrote that Jones attended Gordon High School in Somerset West before he went to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in 1968, which was the same year the South African Student Organisation (SASO) was established.

Jones was part of the first SASO branch at UWC, and in 1969 he travelled to attend a national SASO conference at the University of Natal. During this trip, he met many of the SASO national leadership, including Biko.

Later the two would grow closer. They were arrested together on 18 August 1977 at a roadblock in Grahamstown.

The pair were returning to the Eastern Cape from a Black People’s  Convention meeting in Cape Town, which was cancelled.

Jones was arrested, tortured and detained with Biko, who was killed in detention. In 1984, when Jones’ banning order expired, he visited the Biko family.

“I looked in the sad eyes of some of our friends, and when I finally embraced Mamcethe, Steve’s mother, I just broke down,” said Jones, according to City Press.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences after Jones’ death in February. “PC Jones was a selfless and resolute liberation leader, a Black Consciousness Stalwart who put up a good fight against racial oppression. He devotedly fought for black pride and freedom.”

According to News24, Nkosinathi Biko, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, and Jones’ wife, Ingrid, are expected to speak at the funeral on Friday.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY STORM SIMPSON

READ:

• SARS confirms Cyril Ramaphosa’s tax compliance and urges transparency from other leaders
• M41 pile-up: Driver, 22, charged with reckless driving, detained at Westville Prison
• 20-year-old appears in court in connection with five murders
• ‘I am more than confident’: Electricity Minister optimistic about reducing intensity of load shedding