The world is changing fast, and technology is reshaping how we share stories, preserve culture, and connect. However, too often, these tools are developed without the input of the very communities they are meant to serve. This lack of input can widen the digital divide and put invaluable cultural knowledge at risk.

The NWU Centre for Digital Humanities (CDH) was established in 2024 to help change that. Based in the Faculty of Humanities, the CDH is dedicated to putting people at the heart of digital innovation. We focus on using technology to document and share heritage, tell meaningful local stories, and explore how the arts can spark social and economic change.

African voices must lead in shaping the digital future. That means asking critical questions: Who tells our stories? How can technology support, rather than erase, local knowledge? How do we ensure digital tools bridge divides instead of deepening them?