Well, the festive season is not over and it is with our heartfelt sympathy that we mourn the death of one of the staunch and founder members of the mighty Kaizer Chiefs, Benedict Dire Mohale. The deceased holds his name in our history books by being the very first man on South African soil to register as an official supporter when Kaizer Chiefs was finally formed in 1970. His membership card number reads something like B. D. Mohale; Card No: 001 thus officially making him a fully-fledged Khosi 4 Life even before such identities could be spun.

Popularly known as Ntate Dire, he and the likes of China Ngema, Ewert Nene, Simon Shezi and many stalwarts, became renegades when they dislodged from Orlando Pirates to pursue the formation of Kaizer 11 that later became Kaizer Chiefs.

According to China Ngema, the last Mohican, Dire’s rested body bears scars of a warrior who was always in the forefront of any confrontation when it became obvious that the Phefeni Glamour Boys were rising to become a force to be reckoned with during those dark years of Bantu Football Administration.

He served as a key linkman on security and worked very hard to mobilize for supporters every time and everywhere Amakhosi was featured. His other friend Bro Morgan Nkosi enforced order and respect by standing before those who were bent on derailing the powerful emergence of the Phefeni Glamour Boys.

The Chairman, Kaizer Motaung has expressed sorrow and a great sense of loss over the death of Dire. “Dire was like a father to me. His presence gave us hope and a feeling of security and comfort every time we faced huge challenges of seeing our dream of building Kaizer Chiefs into what it is today. There is obviously a great sense of loss and grief particularly when one remembers all the risks, the troubles and the challenges that we all faced in our early history” lamented Kaizer Motaung.

May Ntate Dire find peace and may he rest assured that he will forever remain in the hearts of all Amakhosi supporters as the one who ignited the growth and expansion of the Mighty Amakhosi Supporters Branches. Thanks to his sacrifice and commitment, we can all boastfully cry Amakhosi 4 Life to celebrate his undying love of the famous gold and black.

May God shower Dire’s grieving family with abundant love and console his close relatives and those who grew to know him. We the Management of Kaizer Chiefs, the supporters and many of our associates, express our sincere condolence over the loss of one of our own.

Long Live Benedict Dire Mohale. May you rest in peace.