About Us
NUMXN is a youth-led non-profit organisation seeking to address the systemic harm of inequitable access to arts education and creative opportunities, particularly for youths who are from rural and township areas. We recognise that structural barriers limit artistic and intellectual expression for many young people, reinforcing cycles of exclusion within education, the creative and cultural industries, and the broader economy.
Through our initiatives, we strive to create platforms for all types of creatives to develop their craft, showcase their work, and contribute to broader conversations on art, culture, and society. Our work is rooted in the belief that access to creative opportunities is not a privilege, but a necessity for individual and collective growth.
NUMXN is a non-profit company registered in South Africa (Registration Number: 2024/538103/08), and recognised as non-profit organisation by the Department of Social Development (317-980 NPO).
What's in the name?
numen
/ˈnjuːmən/
noun • Latin
the spirit or divine power presiding over a thing or place.
“Those who have taken on the responsibilities of this craft, and are committed to the numen behind the craft, are direct descendants of an immense and ancient community of holy people, troubadours, bands, griots, cantadoras, cantors, travelling poets, bums, hags and crazy people”
— Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of The Wild Woman Archetype
To us, NUMXN represents vesselhood, using our platform as the embodiment of containment, flow and purpose. While “numen” is a neuter noun, the ‘X’ replaces the ‘e’ in “numen” to emphasise our inclusivity as a form of language and expression. It further outlines our advocacy for gender diversity and the varying forms of artistic expression that we seek to showcase.
Our Mission
To empower marginalised artists and creators by providing access, opportunities and platforms within the arts and humanities. We drive innovation in the South African cultural and creative industries while contributing to education, advocacy and local economies through art-inspired initiatives.
Our Vision
To cultivate and curate a vibrant cultural ecosystem where South African artistic works thrive on a global stage, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and building a sustainable future for the arts through education, patronage and community investment.
Our Team
Our directors comprise of creatives who possess a wealth of other expertise in areas such as branding, financial management, governance, project management, marketing, risk management and strategic communication. Drawing from their diverse backgrounds in the public and private sectors, they are also deeply connected with established and emerging figures within the cultural and creative industries. Together, they lead NUMXN with a shared commitment to collaboration, artistic innovation, and organisational excellence.
Tshifhiwa Itai Ratshiungo
Co-Founder and Artistic Director
Bonolo Mokoena
Co-Founder and Creative Director
Richard Sembani
Finance Director
Tshifhiwa Itai Ratshiungo (he/him), Co-Founder and Artistic Director of NUMXN, is a writer, creative and cultural worker from South Africa. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Numen of Story, a NUMXN initiative. 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.
Bonolo Mokoena, Co-Founder and Creative Director of NUMXN, is a Marketing Communications professional with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Strategic Communications from the University of Johannesburg. She is also the Vice-Editor of Numen of Story, a NUMXN initiative. Passionate about the intersection of creativity and strategy, she is dedicated to shaping narratives that amplify voices in the arts, humanities and beyond. 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.
Policy Statements
At NUMXN, our policies reflect our dedication to the mission, vision, values and strategic objectives of our organisation. They provide clear guidelines on how we operate, ensuring transparency, integrity and inclusivity in all that we do. Here are some of the policies governing our decision-making, relationships, financial management and engagement with communities, reinforcing our commitment to ethical and responsible practices. We invite you to explore our policies to understand how we uphold ethical conduct, while advancing our cause.