Lensman’s dream realised

A photographer finds the family in a picture he took 28 years ago.

Peter Morey, photographer finds family in photo after 28-years. Photo. Peter Morey/Facebook.

Peter Morey, a veteran photographer from Pretoria, has had one of his dreams realised.

About 28 years ago, he took a photograph of a father, Jacob Hlanyanem, embracing his young son Tumelo outside the High Court in Pretoria after his release from prison.

Cleaning his storage years later, Morey found the photo of the father and son and resolved to get it to the family.

Morey said he knew he had to find the father and son.

Appealing to the public to help find the couple, Morey took a snap of the photo and uploaded it on social media to help him in his search.

Last Monday, Morey got hold of Tumelo (33) and his brother Joshua (38). He met them in Centurion on Tuesday to hand over the photo.

In the picture, Hlanyane is seen celebrating his release with an ecstatic young Tumelo on his shoulder.

Morey said his chat with the two men from Midrand after handing over the picture was enlightening.

“They were both very young, but it’s amazing how much they both remember.”

He said this particular picture had always been on his mind.

Hlanyane, then 36 old, was part of the Delmas treason trial which saw 22 anti-apartheid activists convicted of treason.

Hlanyane spent five years in prison and was 41 years old when he was released.

He died at the age of 65 in 2012 after a long battle with epilepsy and asthma.