In memory of Jim Jones

On September 5, 2023, we learned of the passing of Jim Jones, a former R&A colleague and friend. He was before then a friend and colleague to many of us over many decades.

Jim was one of the smartest people I knew, who could speak and write about almost anything under the sun. He also had a huge, huge heart, and was genuinely kind.

We invite those who knew Jim to share their memories of him here.

Charmane Russell

6 September 2023: Jim Jones, former editor of Business Day from 1990 until 2001 who died on Sunday aged 81, was a larger-than-life figure. He had a remarkable range of historical and contemporary knowledge thanks to his voracious reading, observing of the world around him and persuading people to tell him things many came to regret he had been told.

OBITUARY, BUSINESS DAY: Jim Jones: an erudite and dedicated maverick, by Alan Fine

10 September 2023: Jim Jones, who died of a heart attack at the age of 81 last Sunday at his home in France, was editor of Business Day during South Africa’s transition to democracy. A leading mining journalist, Jones edited Business Day from 1989 to 1999, during the paper’s heyday as the country’s financial daily.

OBITUARY, Sunday Times: Jim Jones: Editor of Business Day in tumultuous times, by Jonathan Katzenellenbogen

14 September 2023: The passing of Jim Jones and Peter Joubert has made recent weeks sad and difficult.

PETER BRUCE: Aching in the places my colleagues dwelt

Tributes

  1. Au revoir mon ami A really long friendship and so pleased we saw each other a few months ago at my birthday in London. Too many good memories with you and the family down the decades to relate! Des, Marsalidh & Kate

    des kilalea

  2. RIP Jim Jones!
    So easy to get along with, he was very kind, intelligent and witty.
    Sincere condolences to Frances and Jessie, his family at large, friends and colleagues around the world.

    Jane K

  3. I’ll not soon forget Jim’s detailed description of a specific piece of Rand Club kitchen equipment (the duck press?!) that he was hoping to acquire. Nor his tolerance of my editing on the days when I was responsible for checking his morning ‘news and views’ email to clients (really, who was I, to be editing Jim!). I’d imagine his version of Elysium involves red wine, pressed duck, and an enthusiastic audience for his stories.

    Marika

  4. A special man with an amazing sense of humour. You will be missed dearly Jim. RIP

    Annie Carreira

  5. How sad. My family knew him from the Newspaper days and Financial Mail as we intermittently worked with him over the years. He was a special person.

    Belinda B

  6. RIP Jim, a very special man with a phenomenal memory for jokes, and when he was at R&A he would come down the stairs every morning and tell the studio a joke!

    Venetia D

  7. I had the privilege of being seated next to Mr Jones at a Christmas lunch. He made quirky comments throughout the event – most went straight over my head. Go well Mr Jones.

    Katherine V

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