Thandiwe Mtshengu was born in the Eastern Cape. Her love for reading and books was instilled by her late grandmother at a very young age. There were no public libraries but her grandmother would get them old magazines and newspapers on her weekly trips to town. She studies Library and Information Services, and loves being surrounded by books.
Thandiwe has worked in different communities with different reading cultures and needs over the 24 years she has worked for the City of Cape Town, Library and information Services. She and her team at Valhalla Park Library won an ATKV award (2013) and the Western Cape Provincial Cultural Award for “Best Medium Library” (2013/14) for fostering a culture of reading and delivering excellent services within a community that struggles daily with socio economic challenges. She is currently an Area Head in Area Central, managing seven libraries in diverse communities. Under her management, some of these libraries have won awards for delivering excellent services in the communities they serve. She is very passionate about her profession and improving the lives of our people through reading and information.