Fadiel Adams: Biography, Age, Politician, NCC

Fadiel Adams (Born 14 June 1976) is a South African politician, activist, and founder of the National Coloured Congress (NCC). He gained public prominence in 2018 during the Siqalo riots in Mitchells Plain while searching for his arrested brother.

Biography: Fadiel Adams

Real Name: Fadiel Adams

Place of Birth: Soweto, Johannesburg

Date of Birth: 14 June 1976 (Age - 49)

Occupation: Politician, Activist

Political Party: National Coloured Congress (founder)

Years Active: 2020 - Present

Marital Status: Married

Children: 4

Nationality: South African

Early Life of Fadiel Adams

Fadiel Adams was born on 14 June 1976 in Retreat, Cape Town. He was child number three of six children. His father worked as a builder and his mother as a seamstress. He grew up in areas like Retreat, Steenberg, and Lavender Hill on the Cape Flats.

He dropped out of school in Grade 11 and became involved in gangsterism and drugs. He was associated with gangs like the Naughty Boys and had an uncle who was a high-ranking member of the 26s prison gang. By age 30, he was homeless and struggling with a long-term drug addiction. 

After overcoming his addiction, he worked as a tiler, plumber, and construction worker for over 20 years. ^[1]

Career of Fadiel Adams

Transformation and Activism

Adams turned his life around and became a religious leader and community activist. He gained public prominence in 2018 during the Siqalo riots in Mitchells Plain while searching for his arrested brother. That year, he co-founded Gatvol Capetonian (“fed up Capetonians”), a group focused on issues like racist BEE policies, poor service delivery, and crime. ^[2]

Political Career

• 2020: Founded the Cape Coloured Congress (later renamed the National Coloured Congress in 2023 to expand nationally).
• 2021: Elected as a councillor in the Cape Town City Council.
• 2024: The NCC won two seats in the national parliament; Adams was elected as a Member of the National Assembly (National List) on 14 June 2024. He serves on committees such as Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation and Portfolio Committee on Police. ^[3]

He is known for his outspoken “gatvol” (fed-up) style, advocating strongly for Coloured communities, which he argues have been marginalized. ^[2]

Controversies

Adams has faced several controversies, including:

• A 2023 Equality Court ruling that found his remarks about a City of Cape Town official to be hate speech and harassment.
• Parliamentary ethics violations in 2025 for derogatory remarks against Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the DA, leading to an apology, suspension, and salary deduction. ^[4]

Personal Life of Fadiel Adams

Fadiel is married and has a total of four children. His wife has publicly expressed support for him, particularly during his high-profile arrest in May 2026. During court proceedings following his arrests, it was revealed that Fadiel Adams was previously married before he divorced to marry his current wife. ^[5]

Recent Developments (as of May 2026)

Adams was arrested in May 2026 by the Political Killings Task Team on charges including fraud and defeating/obstructing the ends of justice. The case relates to alleged interference in the 2017 murder investigation of ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa in KwaZulu-Natal. He has pleaded not guilty and was fighting for bail while detained. He was released on R10,000 bail on 15 May 2026 and will be back in court on 14 August. ^[6]