Idah Maniki
SPU’s Master’s student majoring in Archaeology has earned international recognition for her pioneering work in African heritage and community archaeology.
Idah Maniki has been selected as one of the emerging African scholars to receive a competitive travel grant to attend the prestigious 27th Biennial Society for Africanist Archaeology (SAfA) Conference, taking place in Faro, Portugal from 21 – 26 July 2025.
SAfA is a globally respected U.S.-based organisation that brings together multidisciplinary researchers dedicated to African archaeology and related fields. Every two years, SAfA members gather to share cutting-edge research and foster cross-continental collaboration.
At the conference, Idah will present three podium abstracts:
- Ethnoarchaeological Approaches to Interpreting the Organisation and Use of Space within Zimbabwe Culture Sites in NE Botswana: Case of Luswingo
- Community Involvement in Managing Heritage at Domboshaba Hills
- Using the I-VIHER (Indigenous–Virtual Heritage Reality) Platform to Promote Access to the Tsodilo World Heritage Site
Each contribution tackles critical issues in African archaeology and heritage management, foregrounding indigenous knowledge systems and innovative digital tools.
“The three abstracts incorporate local voices with an aim to redefine how African archaeology and heritage are studied, managed, and shared globally. The SAfA conference is a pivotal step in bringing these perspectives to an international audience and advocating for more equitable practices in both fields,” Idah explained.
She will also be co-chairing a session titled Community Engagement and Heritage: Lessons Learnt and Future Goals, alongside other SAfA fellows.
Reflecting on this milestone, Idah shared: “The only limits I recognise are those I haven’t broken yet.” She described the opportunity to present internationally as both a personal triumph and a powerful reminder of the value of persistence and vision:
“As I share my work, I carry the voices of those who inspire my journey, and the conviction that there are always new horizons to reach.”
Idah credits SPU for playing a pivotal role in her academic and professional growth. She currently serves as an Academic Facilitator in the SPU’s Centre for Teaching, Learning and Programme Development, and was recently accredited as a Conservation Architect Consultant by the Botswana National Museum. As an international student, she expressed deep gratitude for the institutional support and financial aid that made her journey possible: “For anyone seeking to advance their career and achieve excellence, I wholeheartedly recommend SPU as an institution that fosters growth and opens doors.”
She also acknowledged the guidance of her supervisors, Professor Gilbert Pwiti and Ms Itumeleng Masitseng, who have supported her from her Honours through to her Master’s research.
As she prepares to present at one of the most respected conferences in her field, Idah’s achievement underscores the calibre of SPU’s postgraduate students and affirms that our scholars are earning recognition for academic excellence and visibility on global platforms.
