Captain Amod Musa Adams was born on 5 May 1940 at 22 Kirk Street in Worcester to a Cape Malay lady named Shereen Sughan Khan while on holiday at her mother’s home.
During this time the Second World War was ongoing and boarding a train from Worcester to Ladysmith was difficult. After six months his biological mother managed to bring him back to Newcastle and left him in the care of her sister, Ansu Leila Adams. “When I turned the age of twenty, I returned to the Cape where I was enlisted into the Voluntary Cape Coloured Corps from 1960-1962 at a military camp for Malays and Coloureds in Goodwood. The military was mostly composed of White South Africans; however Black South Africans who were alone were subject to conscription. Black South Africans were the second largest group, and Indian and Coloured citizens with mixed ancestry were eligible to serve as volunteers only,” recalls Adams. After the training Adams then moved Port Elizabeth. While visiting his mother in 1964 Adams was spotted by Sergeant Bob Sanker, his mother’s neighbour in Dundee at that time, who suggested to his mother that her son should join the SA Police Force and arranged for him to meet the next day at the Dundee Police Station.
“In February of that same year I received a letter asking me to report to the Dundee Police Station on 1 May 1965 where I served for 11 years,” he said. That is how his journey began. From then on, through the struggles of apartheid, Captain Amod Musa Adams made a name for himself through his determination, discipline and love for his country. He was then transferred to Brits in Pretoria where he served for approximately eight years. “While there I also served border duties in Rhodesia, Ovambu Land, Khatimolilo and Swaziland over a period of 12 years. I was also the first non-White charge office commander. Six months later I was promoted to captain in Newcastle where I served for 16 years. I have been a resident of Newcastle for 3 years now,” he said.
Adams reminisces about his career and says that he has many highlights, one of which was when he was stationed in Dundee and did a lot of peace-keeping between the Basotho and Xhosa tribes. Another career highlight was when he successfully cracked a robbery case where R8 million in cash was recovered as well as R80 000 in cheques. “My most memorable moment, however, was when I was awarded a Certificate of Commission by Nelson Mandela at an awards ceremony. The award was signed and presented to me by Nelson Mandela himself. I was at the top of the list on the prestige scale and given top honours. There were only 27 people in the entire country who were presented with this award. I was one of them,” he said. Remembrance Day is also something close to his heart. “It is something that I look forward to. I had five uncles who were killed in the Second World War between 1939 and 1944. My grandfather lost five biological brothers in the First World War between 1919 and 1924. The Scottish Squad from Glasgow came to Newcastle once every five years to lay wreaths. I lay a wreath in honour of those who have lost their lives,” said Adams. As he celebrated his 81st birthday, Captain Amod Musa Adams has certainly earned his rank far above and beyond.
