Linda Mbeki is a chemist, historian and archaeologist. She splits her time between HERI partner institution, Iziko Museums South Africa, and postdoctoral research at the University of Pretoria.
Her work looks at the intersection of bioarcheology and archival research to shed light on the marginalised people from the South Africa’s colonial period.
Among her recent publications is work examining the diet of colonial Cape Town’s enslaved population. The major finding from this publication was that enslaved persons mostly relied on plant protein as opposed to marine protein as had been believed in the past.
“Linda is trying to answer difficult questions around colonial exploitation and those local and migrant labourers that were deeply affected by this action,” says Dr Wendy Black, archaeologist and curator at Iziko Museums.
“What’s exciting is that this type of work will help us understand the population diversity we see today,” she says.
Mbeki works with Black in the museum’s Archaeology Unit as a NRF Professional Development Programme postdoctoral fellow and assistant curator. Having leapt into the deep end of public administration and museum governance, Black says she’s risen to the challenge.
“Linda has tackled her first year with us with a smile and great sense of humour,” says Black.
1. What excites you most about the palaeosciences?
I’m most excited by the employment of geochemistry to answer historical questions about past communities. The multidisciplinary nature of the research can be challenging but results in textured stories.
2. Describe your research in three words.
Chemistry meets history.
3. Who is your biggest inspiration?
I was inspired by the late Professor Robert Shell to study South Africa’s colonial history. He was a gentle giant who spoke so passionately about our history that he made me realise how ignorant I actually was about it. I was then driven to rectify the situation. I hope my research is meaningful to people, particularly fellow South Africans.
4. What has been your biggest academic challenge?
Coming from a chemistry background and having to learn about (bio)archaeology, geology, history for my PhD study.
5. What is the soundtrack to your studies?
Jazz music from the Blue Note record label. I particularly like the music of trumpeter, Lee Morgan.