We shall remember them
The Faculty community wishes to extend its condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of former students and staff members who passed away.
Dr Carol Thomas
12 April 2019
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of former colleague, gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Carol Thomas, following a long illness.
Dr Thomas, who graduated from UCT with an MBChB in 1983 will be remembered for her tremendous contribution to women's health in South Africa. She was regarded as the top authority on the management of the menopause in South Africa and further afield.
She had a long relationship with especially the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Professor Lynette Denny, head of the department, says the department had huge respect for her and she was very much part of the 'O&G family'.
Dr Thomas did sessional work in the Faculty, mostly as a teacher of undergraduates. She also taught post graduates about the menopause. She will be remembered as an extraordinary woman - kind, powerful, a fighter of note, compassionate, empathetic and smart . She participated in many initiatives to address injustices relating to women's health. Most recently, she was the creator of the Women’s Space, an online facility aimed at improving access to health for women.
Professor Denny says that Dr Thomas will always be an inspiration to those who knew her. Her loss will be greatly felt.
On a personal level, she had a family that adored her. She expressed a generosity that knew no bounds and her humour always had people rolling on the floor.
The Faculty of Health Sciences sends its deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues during this very sad time. We hold them in our prayers and meditations.
A funeral will be held on Monday 22nd April at 2.30pm in Elsie’s River High School Community Hall.
Nolufefe Monki
13 July 2017
Ms Nolufefe Monki, sadly, passed away on 13th July after taking ill on the 10th. Nolufefe joined the Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology in March 2016 as a recruiter/field worker at the midwife obstetric unit in Khayelitsha.
She was known to be a humble, organised, enthusiastic and energetic member of staff and always ready to learn something new. Her presence will be missed.
Dr Oliver Raynham
30 December 2016
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the tragic passing of a dear and respected colleague, Dr Oliver Raynham. I share with you an obituarypenned by two of his colleagues who worked closely with him, from the Division of Otorhinolaryngology in the Department of Surgery:
Dr Oliver Raynham: Obituary
The untimely and tragic death of Dr Oliver Raynham on 30 December 2016 is a great loss to UCT's Division of Otolaryngology and to the South African ENT community.
Oliver completed his medical training at Stellenbosch University and spent some time working in the UK before completing his ENT training at UCT. He subsequently ran the ENT service at New Somerset Hospital before establishing a thriving ENT private practice at Vincent Pallotti Hospital. He, however, remained engaged in student and registrar teaching and clinical service provision through UCT funded sessions at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.
Oliver was a man of great warmth, patience and kindness. His open and gregarious nature put his little patients and their families at ease. He would go to great lengths to explain things to patients, families and students, and he always had time to listen to their concerns. He truly cared for his fellow beings, and people felt quite uplifted in his company. He was a naturally gifted healer and teacher.
Oliver will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues and the patients at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and UCT. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Maria, their four children, and his family.
Graeme Copley and Johan Fagan
Division of Otorhinolaryngology
Department of Surgery
Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town
On behalf of the Faculty, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to his loved ones. We wish his family and friends strength during this time of immense loss and sadness, and hope they can find comfort in the many warm memories he leaves them with.
Please remember them in your prayers, thoughts and meditations in the coming months.
Yours sincerely
Bongani Mayosi
Dean
Mr James Andrew Borchers
30 December 2016
Mr James Andrew Borchers was a second-year MBChB student in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Mr Borchers passed away on 30 December 2016 while he was away on vacation.
Mr Borchers was regarded as a promising student who had a bright future in the medical profession. He is survived by his parents and siblings.
Ms Jane Macha
24 December 2016
Ms Jane Macha, a PhD student in the Faculty of Health Sciences, died after an illness on 24 December 2016, in her home country of Tanzania.
Ms Macha started her PhD studies in 2016 under the supervision of Professor Diane McIntyre, South African Research Chair: ‘Health and Wealth’ in the Health Economics Unit. Ms Macha had previously worked at the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania. Professor McIntyre said: “We are absolutely devastated at the loss of such a wonderful young researcher.”
Ms Macha is survived by her husband, Mr Siglibert Erasmus Mrema, and young son, Emanuel.
Dr Mark Theuri
14 February 1982 - 28 October 2016
It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing of Dr. Mark Theuri, a supernumerary registrar in the Division of Anatomical Pathology.
Dr Theuri, who joined the Division in September 2010, will be remembered as a quiet, private, kind and hardworking colleague who gave generously of his time and knowledge to assist junior registrars in their slow journey through the registrar training program.
His registrar colleagues in Anatomical Pathology said; “He was a source of encouragement and perspective for those of us who found the subject matter, time pressures and the workload overwhelming. Mark was a rare individual who truly listened when you spoke and who had genuine interest in your work, life and goals. He had a relaxed, courteous manner that made working with him a pleasure.”
Professor Dhiren Govender, his supervisor and head of the Division of Anatomical Pathology said; “We are deeply saddened by his sudden passing, before he realised his dream of becoming an anatomical pathologist. He will be greatly missed.”
Dr Theuri was away from his home country for many years and, during this time, was not able to return often. Memories of Mark will be of a gentle, kind friend and colleague who laughed frequently, possessed good humour and wished only the best for others.
Our deepest condolences go to Dr Theuri’s family, friends and colleagues, and we wish them much strength during this sad time.
Bongani Mayosi
Dean
Emeritus Professor Maurice Kibel
14 November 1929 - 9 October 2016
It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of Emeritus Professor Maurice Kibel last night after a period of illness.
Prof Kibel was an icon and pioneer in paediatrics in South Africa, establishing the Child Health Unit in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in 1979.
He was regarded as a great paediatrician, as a visionary and leader in child health, who led the Child Health Unit into a new era, impacting research, teaching and policy on child health.
“He was a brilliant teacher and clinician and an inspirational and deeply humble human being – an extraordinary man,” says Head of Department Prof Heather Zar.
Prof Kibel was also associated for many years with the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI) through its early clinical trials in Worcester since the 1980s. He was very supportive in getting the trial site started, mentored a number of clinicians at the site and was actively involved in a number of clinical trials, in particular the first BCG trial that compared percutaneous versus intradermal BCG vaccine, one of the largest conducted to date at the site.
Many will recall him continuing to work on campus long after his retirement, giving selflessly of his time to teaching, caring for and contributing to the health of those children and families who are most disadvantaged. His work touched the lives of many children. His example and legacy lives on in the generations of health care professionals, whom he taught and influenced.
In 2013, the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health presented him with a Lifetime Contribution award for his dedication and outstanding contribution to child health over a lifetime.
He was also well-known for his witty ditties - lyrics to well-known tunes - immortalised in a book sold to many an alumnus and colleague. Some will recall his performance in the Faculty quad to an appreciative audience of students and colleagues at our centenary celebration bash on 6 June 2012.
We extend our condolences to Leonora, his wife, his children Owen, Shelley. David and their partners, and his grandchildren.
Bongani Mayosi
Dean