Book Dash, the South African non-profit working to ensure that every child owns at least 100 books by the age of five and Brittle Paper’s 2024 Literary Platform of the Year, has officially announced the appointment of Thembalethu Shangase as its new Executive Director.

Following an extensive recruitment process that began in March, Shangase steps into the role previously held by Julia Norrish, who stepped down earlier this year after many years of dedicated and visionary leadership. Norrish played a pivotal role in shaping Book Dash into the respected and impactful organization it is today, and her departure marked the end of a significant chapter in the organization’s story.

Now, with Shangase at the helm, Book Dash begins a bold new phase—one that builds on a strong foundation while opening fresh pathways for growth and innovation.

“With a deep passion for equity, early childhood education, and systems change, Thembi brings a powerful blend of strategic leadership and heartfelt purpose to our vision: that every child should own a hundred books by the age of five,” Book Dash shared in their announcement. “A highly respected voice in the non-profit sector, Thembi has spent her career championing access and opportunity for underserved communities. Her work has consistently driven impact through clarity, compassion, and collaboration. She stands out as an outcomes-driven leader who will both honor what we have built and help us grow, bringing the right combination of clarity and curiosity for this next stage in Book Dash’s journey.”

Shangase’s background spans education, digital skills development, and entrepreneurship. Her leadership is expected to strengthen the organization’s mission of radically increasing access to quality books for young children. Book Dash achieves this through its unique publishing model, creating beautiful, African storybooks with the help of creative volunteers and distributing them to families who need them most.

In response to the announcement, Shangase said:
Book Dash’s mission deeply resonates with me. In a country marked by profound inequality, it is not difficult to imagine a household without a single book. Our work isn’t just necessary—it’s urgent. Early literacy changes everything, from brain development to long-term socio-economic outcomes. Without adequate investment in early education—I feel—subsequent intervention along the human development continuum risk being perpetually reactive. I am honoured to lead this incredible team into our next chapter.

Book Dash invites its community of supporters, partners, and readers to join in celebrating this exciting new chapter and welcoming Thembi to the team. We look forward to seeing how Thembi’s leadership shapes this incredible organization.