Have you ever held onto an old film reel, wondering if the footage inside is already lost? This film reel digitisation story might just give you hope.

That’s where Debbie found herself.

She had footage of her being crowned Rag Queen in 1978 at a legendary competition between Bulawayo Tech College and Teachers College in Rhodesia. She had tried several places to digitise it… with no success. So she sent it to me.

A Moment Nearly Lost Forever

Debbie’s reel sat untouched for nearly 50 years. Every lead she followed ended in disappointment. The footage felt like it was gone — a precious piece of her youth, her history, her story — just out of reach.

But she didn’t give up. And neither did we.

What We Were Able to Do

Working with my expert digitisation partners, we were able to:

✨ Digitise the original film reel ✨ Scan individual frames like negatives ✨ Convert them into clear, beautiful images ✨ Restore and enhance the quality ✨ Produce prints and canvases from those precious moments

What felt impossible… wasn’t.

Debbie’s Response

Some moments in this work stop you in your tracks. This was one of them.

In Debbie’s own words:

“I am absolutely blown away and so grateful to share a bit of my youth with my children and grandchildren — all thanks to you.”

That says it all, doesn’t it? What once felt lost is now something she can see, share and enjoy every single day — and pass down to the generations that follow.

Watch Debbie’s Story

We posted the restored footage to YouTube so you can see for yourself the quality that’s possible from digitised old reels. Take a look 👇

🎞️ Watch Debbie’s 1978 Rag Queen footage here

Do You Have Old Reels, Tapes or Negatives?

If you have old film reels, VHS tapes, slides or negatives tucked away — even ones you’ve been told can’t be recovered — please don’t give up just yet.

Every week I work with families, individuals and organisations across South Africa to rescue memories that were almost lost forever. Sometimes what feels impossible just needs the right person and the right partners.

When photographs and stories survive, memory survives too.

Let’s see what’s possible together.

📩 info@nanuja.co.za 🌐 www.nanuja.co.za

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About Natasha Lee

Natasha Lee is South Africa’s first certified Photo Manager, based in Durban. She helps individuals, families, businesses and schools gather, digitise, organise and preserve their photo collections — and turn those memories into beautiful photobooks and keepsakes that tell their unique story for generations to come.

Let’s Share Memories 📸