Born in South Africa, Morris David Gelfand was educated at Wynberg, Cape Town and began his medical career at the University of Cape Town, graduating MB ChB at the age of 21. He held house appointments at Congella Hospital, Durban, and from there joined the practice of Hymie Penn and Aaron Porter in Banoni where he remained for the rest of his life, apart from a two year spell in England working for his Fellowship in London. He was known to all his friends as 'Gillie' and was an outstanding diagnostician and meticulous surgeon who acted as a friend as well as healer to his patients. In 1943 Gelfand married Nancy Machet, a well-known golfer in Transvaal circles and they had twin sons. In the short periods of relaxation from a busy practice Gelfand was an avid reader, being particularly interested in the various religions of the world. He was an excellent bridge player and, when time allowed, played golf. He died on 16 December 1977 after a short illness, survived by his wife and sons Roger, now living in Israel and Jeffrey in the USA.