Dr Ndukuyakhe Ndlovu completed his undergraduate studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and obtained a PhD in Archaeology from Newcastle University in the UK. He has been doing research at the University of Pretoria since 2013.

“UP has provided me with extensive support in terms of funding and skills, such as supervising postgraduate students,” he says.

Dr Ndlovu’s focus areas are Southern African rock art, heritage management in Southern Africa and the political history of archaeology. He has two books on review, one on rock art and the other on the decolonisation of heritage management in South Africa. Dr Ndlovu is part of an international group of researchers who are collaborating on the Sustainability of Rock Art Tourism (SORAT) project, which is focused on South African and Namibian rock art.

In addition to publishing journal articles and book chapters, Dr Ndlovu has spent the past 18 months writing two book manuscripts and is launching new research projects next year.

According to Dr Ndlovu, his research contributes to the betterment of the world because it is vital to know about our roots as human beings. “If we know our roots, it helps us to determine our destiny and enables us to live in harmony with one another and the earth that hosts us,” he says. He adds that his research matters because it contributes another layer of knowledge to our attempts to study the past. More importantly, it also provides an African perspective to the discipline of archaeology.

His research efforts are inspired by his desire to see transformation in his discipline, given the perspective he has on what the field of archaeology was like when he began his journey 26 years ago.

“I have always set my own journey, inspired by my late father who had no formal education but who always wanted me to achieve the highest academic level possible,” he says. “I’m still on that journey.”

He hopes to attain full professorship and be the first African of South African descent to reach this level in his academic discipline.

Dr Ndlovu’s advice to school learners or undergraduates who are interested in his field is to be focused and work hard from the beginning. “With a clear goal in mind, it is easier to reach the top and overcome challenges along the way. More importantly, have love for what you do, as that will give you the strength to get through the rough patches.”

Dr Ndlovu is a soccer fan and enjoys a few other sporting codes. Over the years, he has developed an interest in the outdoors and travelling.