March 11, 2008, 08:45
Consumer rights champion Isabel Jones has died, one of her agents confirmed today. Jones, who underwent open heart surgery in December, was not feeling well on Friday and was admitted to hospital, said Stuart Lee, chief executive of Famous Faces Management. Jones died this morning, said Lee, who worked with her for about 10 years.
"She was absolutely fearless," he said in a tribute to the woman South Africans came to know best for her work fighting for consumer rights in the television programme Fair Deal. "She would take nonsense from nobody. She would take untruths from nobody," he said. This was even to her own personal detriment sometimes, Lee said, explaining that Jones had on occasion risked her life in pursuit of a story.
Jones was born in England, but came to South Africa 20 years ago when she started her career as a food journalist, according to her biography. In 1998 she joined Talk Radio 702, presenting the consumer, food, wine, books and motoring programme Isabel Jones Live.
She was well-respected, even by those she criticised, said Lee. She also made the "best Christmas pudding around", he said. Jones was married to Ryal Barry Jones and they had a son and a daughter. - Sapa
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