Specialist doctor part of social milieu that shaped his life
Gynaecologist Dire a trusted medical man
Born: October 29 1955
Died: June 30 Funeral: Tomorrow at Anglican Parish of St Peter’s Chains, Administrative Block, Katlehong, from 8am Burial: Fourways Cemetery
Dr Godfrey Sankubele Dire is dead. Tomorrow after 11am his body will be laid to rest at the Fourways Cemetery, Johannesburg.
Born on October 29 1955, the 62year-old Katlehong-born medico and specialist died in his sleep on Saturday. His son Zama said his gynaecologist father died in his room in circumstances that “could be described as unknown but natural”, and that “he is survived by his widow Thembisile and three girls – Mbali, Marona and Nomafa”.
“I am sad that my father is dead. We will miss him. He was a fine guy,” said Zama.
Some described Dire, also known as “Baiz” or “Mthakathi” or “Mfundisi” as streetwise, whose social life was informed by his upbringing in Katlehong on the East Rand, where he was reared. Professionally, he was a medical doctor trained at Medunsa (Medical University of South Africa). He was not given to intellectual snobbery. He did not see himself apart from the social milieu that shaped his life. And that explains why his friend and former Sowetan sports editor Molefi Mika described him in these terms: “Dire was one of the trusted medical doctors.
“In the Professional Soccer League he was on duty for Highlands Park in the 2016/17 season. He had been a staunch Bucs supporter since his youth.”
Sadly, towards the end of his life he appeared melancholic. Once he said to me he had become unhappy in his job at a provincial hospital in Sasolburg, Vereeniging, something he also shared with his colleague trained in psychology.
He is gone to join eternity, and has taken with him to his early grave all the thoughts and vestments and things that made him unhappy. We give thanks to God for his life. His funeral service will take place in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, tomorrow.
We will miss him. He was a fine guy