Happy 102nd birthday!

Staff Reporter|Published 3 years ago

Pictured in a white thobe is Hajj Umar Kemp, from Portland, celebrating his 102nd birthday. With him, from left, are Aljama-ah proportional representational (PR) councillor Achmat Hendricks, from Lentegeur, political party leader Ganief Hendricks and member of the provincial legislature Galil Brinkhuis.

A Portland great-great-grandfather celebrated his 102nd birthday with his only surviving daughter and grandchildren.

They celebrated Hajj Umar Kemp's birthday at a hall in Schaapkraal on Sunday November 21.

His wife, their two sons and two daughters died a few years ago. His second eldest daughter died last month.

Yesterday, Tuesday November 23 Aljama-ah political party leader Ganief Hendricks, proportional representational (PR) councillor Achmat Hendricks, from Lentegeur, and member of the provincial legislature Galil Brinkhuis visited him, to deliver a birthday frame and a gift.

Hajj Kemp told the Plainsman the secret to longevity is: “Be obedient to your Lord and his word (The Quran).”