At the age of 43, Mpilo Sibiya, a dedicated public servant from KwaZulu-Natal is beaming with joy as he graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Spring Graduation Ceremony on Friday, 19 September 2025, held at the Olive Convention Centre.
With over 15 years of experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), municipal governance, and strategic leadership within the public sector, his journey exemplifies how technology can revolutionise public service delivery and governance. His academic achievement marks not only the completion of an important milestone but also highlights his continuous commitment to personal and professional growth in service of the public.
A native of Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Sibiya’s career has been defined by leadership and a passion for using technology to improve public service. He currently serves as the Chief Director: Provincial Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier. In this senior role, he leads the province’s digital transformation agenda, overseeing ICT governance, enterprise architecture, and implementing e-government systems across provincial departments. He also champions digital innovation, cybersecurity, and ICT skills development, ensuring that technology is leveraged for better service delivery and efficiency.
However, his journey to leadership did not come without challenges. Balancing a demanding career with academic pursuits, he enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies: Business Administration at DUT while working as Deputy City Manager for Corporate Services at the City of uMhlathuze. His executive responsibilities spanned ICT, Legal Services, General Administration, and Human Resources, making his academic journey both intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling.
“One of the most significant challenges I faced as a student was balancing the demands of postgraduate studies with full-time executive responsibilities and family obligations. My professional role required high-level decision-making, oversight of critical ICT portfolios, and managing teams across departments, while my studies demanded sustained focus on coursework, research, and examinations. I navigated these competing priorities through disciplined time management, strategic planning, and strong personal commitment. This period strengthened my resilience and enhanced my ability to lead effectively under pressure,” said Sibiya.
As a thought leader, Sibiya represents KwaZulu-Natal in national forums like the Government Information Technology Officers Council (GITOC), working towards ICT integration and policy alignment across all spheres of government. His leadership in ICT governance has established him as a central figure in the province’s push toward digitizing public services.
Sibiya plans to further his studies with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity two areas that are reshaping the landscape of public administration and governance. He envisions that mastering these disciplines will help him better respond to the evolving challenges in ICT and strengthen his contributions to public sector reform.
“For me, lifelong learning is not merely a personal ambition but a professional imperative. In an ever-evolving digital ecosystem, staying informed, adaptable, and forward-thinking is essential for delivering impactful, future-focused leadership. Through continuous learning, we prepare ourselves not only to respond to the challenges of today, but to help shape the solutions of tomorrow,” he explained.
Sibiya also shared his words of appreciation to the Durban University of Technology for providing an enriching academic environment that supports working professionals and emphasises practical knowledge application.
Pictured: Mpilo Sibiya
Thubelihle Dumakude
