Didintle Ntsie

Cultural Worker

Didintle Ntsie is a South African-born Project Manager, Grantmaker, Arts Administrator, Writer, and Educator with over 15 years of experience leading initiatives at the intersection of arts, human rights, placemaking and digital literacy. Her work is rooted in the belief that creativity and access to self-expression are essential to individual and collective freedom.

Born during Apartheid, she understands firsthand how systems of control seek to silence voices and limit freedom. This early awareness shaped her lifelong commitment to cultivating equitable systems that prioritize dignity, safety, and access - especially for marginalized communities. Her international career has spanned South Africa, Bolivia, the UK, Sweden, and the U.S., where she has designed and managed programs that blend grantmaking, cultural strategy, and social impact.

As a grantmaker and project manager, Didintle has supported artists and organizations through ethical, transparent, and care-centered processes. Her work has included managing multi-million-dollar grants portfolios, designing artist-support programs, and building partnerships that sustain creative ecosystems. Across each role, she has championed equitable funding practices and advocated for care as a core tenet of leadership and institutional culture.

Guided by the South African philosophy of Botho (Ubuntu - “I am because you are”), Didintle sees her professional practice as an act of service and solidarity. Whether facilitating a cross-cultural residency, reviewing a grant proposal, or convening community dialogues, her approach prioritizes listening, relationship-building, and collective well-being.

Beyond her professional work, she finds grounding in cooking for loved ones, exploring new landscapes, and celebrating the small joys of daily life. Through every endeavor, Didintle remains committed to building spaces (both digital and physical) where creativity, care, and freedom can coexist and flourish.