The legendary leader

From late bloomer to cybersecurity champion, Dr Jabu Mtsweni is leading from the front

- Jamaine Krige

When Dr Jabu Mtsweni applied late for university, he didn’t even know how to use a computer. Today, he’s head of the Information and Cyber Security Centre at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), leading one of South Africa's most innovative digital defence initiatives and fostering a future that is local, inclusive and secure.

“I wanted to be an accountant and only ended up in computer engineering because it was the last space left," he laughs. “But once I got started, I fell in love with the field and knew I had found my purpose.”

Since taking the helm at the CSIR in 2019, Mtsweni has transformed a bare-bones unit into a national powerhouse. What began with a handful of researchers has grown into a team of nearly 90, with annual revenue surpassing R100 million. But for Mtsweni, it’s not just about numbers.

“We didn’t just want to build a centre — we wanted to build a movement,” he says.