By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Peter Cyril Jones, a liberation struggle activist and leader of the Black People’s Convention of South Africa who died last week.
Jones, aged 72, passed away on February 14 at his home in the Western Cape province.
Paying tribute to Jones in a statement, the Presidency on Sunday said he was known to be the last black person to see Black Consciousness Movement founding father and icon Steve Bantu Biko alive.
Ramaphosa said: “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.”
“May his soul rest in peace and his contribution be remembered for many generations to come.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, AZAPO, and all those who knew and loved PC Jones,” said Ramaphosa.
He was arrested, tortured and detained with Biko in the tracks of a liberation mission in 1977 when Biko was ultimately killed.
Jones further served as vice president of the Azanian People’s Organisation, one of South Africa’s liberations movements.