Long-time friend, Omar Esau remembers

It is with much sadness that we mourn the loss of Adnaan Booley, an icon of not just the Primrose Rugby Club but the entire Cape Town community. This giant of a man with a heart of gold was also one of the first Sports Desk presenters of Radio 786, fondly known to everyone as Addie.

At the recent Reunion of the Primrose RFC on 19 December 2021, Mr Booley was amongst the five recipients who received the Prestigious Primrose Life Time Award for services rendered. He together with his wife tirelessly fed the gathering with much smiles and laughter.

Mr Booley was our junior coordinator in the early days of Primroses (70s and 80s). We all have fond memories of knocking on the door of Addie in Thornton Road, near City Park Stadium, early Saturday mornings to get the rugby jerseys that he and his family washed voluntarily for the club.

When we played friendlies against the WP Rugby Teams of the Greenpoint track, Addie would fill his car with virtually 15 junior rugby players.

In his later years, when he became a prominent electrical contractor he not only sponsored his own club but assisted many disadvantaged clubs and individuals.

He played first, second and third team and was a Primrose die-hard, always and forever. As Mr Pinkie Gallant would say – “a cantget”.

He sat on the Disciplinary Committee (DC) but was always kind and gentle. As a member of a spiritual thikr jamaah, Mr Booley was always present and led, dressed and behaved accordingly.

I will never forget when he travelled with the SA Schools Chess Team to Greece, we were a hit amongst the SA Chess contingent in 2008 simply because of Addie’s travelling prowess and friendly humanitarian skills.

This man was really loved and respected by everyone who got to know him.

Yes he hailed from the Claremont and Stegmann Road era and was really inspired by Imam Haron and Imam Sep Davids who molded him into a truly charitable community philanthropist.

As a brother, friend and dedicated community person; Adnaan Booley you will surely be missed.

Yes, you have gone before us and we will soon follow. May the Almighty grant Adnaan Booley a well deserved beautiful abode in Al Jannah(Paradise) Insha-Allah!

Ed: Radio 786 is forever indebted to Mr Adnaan Booley, a community worker and committed supporter of Radio 786 since its founding days. He was an active participant in the Islamic Unity Convention(IUC) which applied for Radio 786’s licence and assisted the station with electrical supplies when it moved to its current premises.