Koos Adams - a good life | Graaff-Reinet Advertiser

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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - "As Benjamin Franklin said, 'A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is always long enough'. Koos Adams was blessed with a good life. Yes! Hy het foute begaan, maar sy sukses is meer as die foute wat hy begaan het," said Ralph Mawona, who knew Adams since their teenage years, at his friend's memorial service on Thursday.

Adams, one of the most popular and colourful residents of Graaff-Reinet, died much too young at the age of 68 on Monday 6 March after battling pancreatic cancer.

A brilliant rugby and cricket player, Adams had lots of nicknames including Oom Kola, Oom Koos, Wardrobe, Cowboy and most famously, Oom Eddie.

Lived for sport and freedom
Robert Hector, the chairperson of the Hampshire Ruby Club, said Adams had been a stalwart in many ways. "We should never forget our sport struggle stalwarts like Oom Eddie. It is because of their sacrifices that we enjoy international sport today. Oom Eddie sacrificed his life for freedom - we therefore need to honour, pay tribute and celebrate his life." Adams was a formidable loose forward in his day. For many years he was the first choice no. 6 loose forward for Swallows Rugby Club and Central Karoo Union playing at club and union level. He played for all SARU Provinces and the Rhodes Cup.

PHOTO GALLERY: Koos Adams remembered

"The opposition had to develop a game plan to neutralise Oom Eddie. He was quick and at times too quick on the ball, until we saw he wasn't binding. That's why he got the name 'Wardrobe'. He wore his club blazer with pride - a person who stood supreme for his contribution to the sport and liberation struggle. He gave vast amounts of his time and life in developing non-racial sport, particularly at the crucial stage of post-sport unification. A person who was not afraid to forgive those very people who were guilty of atrocities and racism. Koos gave everything for the upliftment and development of rugby and cricket," Hector said.

Derek Light, an attorney and a friend of 47 years, said Adams would come to watch them play rugby at Union High in the 1970s. These were difficult years when many black people were targeted and arrested, but he said Adams never judges him for being white. "Ek het 'n goeie vriend verloor. Hy het my nooit gejudge nie. Hy het 'n gawe gehad," Light said in a voice filled with emotion.

A good life
Koos Adams was born on a farm near Cradock to Klaas and Gladys on 9 November 1954. He went to Adendorp Primary and Lingcom and then to Spandau Secondary. He then worked at Kingwill Murray, the Merino Pharmacy and lastly at Asherville Secondary, until he retired.

Adams was buried from his home in Springbok Street in Kroonvale and Adams' stepson, preacher Donovan Koeberg, led the service in Spandau Secondary's hall.

Koeberg told the Advertiser that mourners were left in suspense as he could not finish his sermon due to limited time.

"I used our relationship as an illustration relevant to the sermon, but could not explain. Here it is... I have realised how foolish and childish I was during my formative years to dispute the indisputable. Since then a strong brotherly relationship has developed between myself and Koos because of our cooperation and collaboration in our local congregation. We were at loggerheads at times, but it reinforced the bond between us. My message wasn't only for him as my stepfather, but as a beloved brother in Christ. It doesn't matter how many times you fall and roll in the mud, you can always call out to the Shepherd to save you. What started out ugly, turned into something beautiful. Ecclesiastes 7:8: 'The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride'."

Koos Adams (middle) in action in his heyday.