Dr Mjwara currently serves as the Permanent Representative of South Africa at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
His career began as a physics lecturer at the University of Fort Hare and he has since held positions at the former Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, including Director of Technology. He has also served at the University of Pretoria as a professor of science and technology policy, as well as at the University of the Witwatersrand. His work has included the management of technological innovation and involvement in policy formulation processes.
Prior to his appointment as the Director General at the DSTI, Dr Mjwara served as Group Executive: Research and Development and Strategic Human Capital Development at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).