About Us

Tshifhiwa Itai Ratshiungo (he/him) is a writer, creative and cultural worker from South Africa. He is a Founder and the Artistic Director of NUMXN, a non-profit organisation seeking to contribute to a sustainable future for the South African cultural and creative industries through arts education, advocacy, patronage and community investment. His written work interrogates and explores themes of identity, memory, and Black history to evoke intergenerational conversations on language, culture and being. Among his notable achievements is having been a part of an arts advocacy movement which galvanised the South African government to provide relief funding to creative practitioners during covid-19 lockdown. He has also been published in initiatives powered by the European Union, Goethe Institut and French Institute of South Africa, among others. He is available on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) @_tshifhiwa

Bonolo Mokoena is a Marketing Communications professional with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Strategic Communications from the University of Johannesburg. Passionate about the intersection of creativity and strategy, she is dedicated to shaping narratives that amplify voices in the arts, humanities and beyond. As a Founder and Head of Creative and Communications at NUMXN, an arts and humanities non-profit organisation, she is committed to showcasing, advancing and advocating for young talent within these industries and academic disciplines. Through her work, she seeks to challenge conventional structures, foster critical discourse and create platforms that empower future generations of creatives and educate the masses on the importance of the humanities.

Richard Sembani is a passionate advocate for the arts and humanities who seamlessly integrates his leadership role as Financial Director of NUMXN with a profound commitment to cultural enrichment. As an active contributor to the #NoSTEMNoShade project, he champions the belief that every academic discipline is essential in fostering a balanced and innovative society. Richard is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, inspiring critical thought, and driving progressive social change, all while leveraging his expertise in financial strategy, accounting, and systems analysis to empower creative and intellectual endeavors.

Sinesipo Lubelwana, Lead Projects Officer at NUMXN, is a naturally curious and creative professional with a background in storytelling and coordination. Born in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, she spent her early years moving between Bhisho, Cape Town, and East London, where she eventually matriculated. She holds an Honours degree in Motion Picture Medium, specialising in Film Producing from AFDA. Her experience in the film and television industry has deepened her appreciation for producing and the process of bringing ideas to life from concept to screen, while strengthening her ability to collaborate, pay attention to detail, and ensure projects run seamlessly. She values genuine connection and strives to bring warmth, empathy, and positive energy into every space, driven by a desire to create work that resonates and makes a meaningful impact. 

Sunshine Motsepa is a 2D animator, conversationalist, and Associate Curator (Editorial) at NUMXN. Her work is centred on the journey of reclaiming self, utilising the speculative lens of Afrofuturism to bridge cultural heritage with the avant-garde. Sunshine's creative journey began in digital design at Vega, where she first discovered the power of conceptual thinking, before refining her graphic skills at Central Johannesburg College. Currently specialising in 2D animation at NEMISA, she aims to bring a multi-dimensional perspective to editorial curation, blending visual storytelling with a deep commitment to high-level ideation and equitable access for creators.

Kgomotso Tsotetsi, Associate Curator (Editorial and Research) at NUMXN, is a multidisciplinary artist and storyteller whose work spans creative writing, poetry, and visual storytelling. Their practice explores memory, identity, and the quiet magic of everyday life through emotionally resonant and culturally grounded narratives. They have experience in journalism, content writing and editorial work and often bridge creative, academic, and strategic communication spaces, including student support and media engagement. Their work is deeply informed by African identity, youth culture, and contemporary expression, with a focus on amplifying overlooked voices and meaningful storytelling. Across all mediums, they maintain a multidisciplinary, experimental approach rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to pushing storytelling across forms and platforms.

Bontle Juku, Lead Graphic Designer at NUMXN, is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative producer from Centurion, South Africa. Working in her primary mediums of photography, visual arts and visual communication, she explores the visual representation of the lived black experience. Juku’s work is heavily informed by socio-political discourse, music, film, and an ongoing study into the historical and contemporary representation of Black people in visual media. Through her practice she pursues to be an arts educator, community builder and to connect marginalised artists to resources and networks.

Thatohatsi Kuwane, Communications Strategist at NUMXN, is a Johannesburg-based creative driven by a deep love for African culture and storytelling. His work sits at the intersection of fashion, media, and digital strategy, where he translates ideas into narratives that feel both intentional and culturally grounded. With a background in social media management and creative direction, modelling and styling, Kuwane approaches communication with both structure and instinct. He is passionate about shaping contemporary African narratives that celebrate identity, community, and authenticity. Kuwane has contributed to editorial and campaign work that blends visual language with meaningful messaging. Ultimately, he aims to build brands that not only resonate globally but remain rooted in the richness of Africa.

Tshiamo Machobane, Associate Curator (Exhibitions) at NUMXN, is from the East Rand of Johannesburg, in a township called Daveyton. Tshiamo is a creative producer and visual storyteller. His work revolves around identity, memory and cultural narratives.