Motherwell centenarian's special birthday

[caption id="attachment_203923" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Motherwell resident Lumkile Heleni celebrated his 103rd birthday with officers from the Motherwell police station[/caption]

Motherwell’s oldest resident got the birthday gift of his dreams on Thursday – a garden set and other goods to help him start a vegetable garden at home.

Lumkile Heleni, 103, celebrated his birthday with a party at the Motherwell police station.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said Heleni’s birthday gifts included a double bed and gardening set.

“Winter is closing in and in the bed and bedding will keep him warm and comfortable,” Beetge said.

“His dream is also to start a small vegetable garden at his home in NU10 and thus the gardening set and basic vegetable seeds that was given to him will make his dream become a reality.”

Beetge said Heleni’s wife of 68 years died last month – just days after they celebrated her 96th birthday at the police station.

“Her death after her passing suddenly only a week after her birthday was felt with sorrow by Motherwell police,” Beetge said.