His election comes just weeks after Dr Sibeko was recognised as the Researcher of the Year in the Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University.
DHASA, the professional body representing Digital Humanities scholarship in the region, was established in 2016 following national discussions at DH workshops.
Its primary objectives include promoting the understanding and practice of digital humanities research, advocating for the recognition of DH outputs, and fostering cross-institutional collaboration.
The team is expected to lead preparations for the 2028 Alliance of Digital Humanities Organisations (ADHO) conference, attended by over a thousand attendees globally, jointly hosted with the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR).
Dr Sibeko’s election to DHASA allows him to contribute to shaping the direction of the field in the region, helping to build communities of practice and strengthen collaboration across institutions.
“Breaking silos is my passion project. This role allows me to advocate for African-centred approaches to digital scholarship, support emerging researchers, and advance work that foregrounds the linguistic and cultural contexts of Southern Africa,” he says.
“It also reflects my commitment to sustainable growth in Digital Humanities and ensuring that local perspectives remain central to regional and international conversations.”
“Juan Steyn, the president, and I share a vision for theorising DH from an African perspective, and I assume that this is one of the areas in which we will steer the Association.”
From left, Juan Steyn (President), Jessica Mabaso (Secretary), and Marissa Griesel (Treasurer), all representing the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR), along with Dr Sibeko, who will serve as Vice-President.
Backed by Professor Langa Khumalo, the president of SADiLaR, Dr Sibeko’s election also provides a significant boost to the Digital Humanities Hub at Mandela University, by raising its profile regionally, opening opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, and enabling the Hub to influence the direction of Digital Humanities in Southern Africa.
“It allows me to bring insights, best practices, and innovative approaches from the broader DH community directly into the Hub, while supporting capacity-building, mentorship, and research initiatives for both students and staff.”
DHASA and SADiLaR are united not only by their joint responsibility of hosting the 2028 ADHO conference but also by their complementary roles in advancing digital scholarship in the humanities and social sciences.
SADiLaR’s resources support the work of DHASA members by providing the tools and infrastructure needed for language-focused digital projects, while DHASA offers a platform for collaboration, capacity-building, and the promotion of African-centred approaches in DH research. Together, they strengthen the ecosystem for digital scholarship in the region.
“Hosting such a conference allows both organisations to showcase Southern African innovations in Digital Humanities, promote African-centred approaches to research, and highlight the resources and expertise available locally,” says Dr Sibeko.
“It also creates opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building, positioning the region as a visible and active contributor to the global DH community.”
Widening his growing global footprint, Dr Sibeko has also been invited to Germany to contribute to a Workshop on Digital Humanities and AI in African Studies, signalling recognition of his research and contributions to African DH.
“I hope to achieve recognition by the NRF in the field of Digital Humanities and to become one of the first professors of DH in Southern Africa.”
“I also aim to strengthen DH networks across the region, develop sustainable programs that train the next generation of scholars, and advance research that centres African languages, cultures, and perspectives in digital scholarship,” says Dr Sibeko.