Dr Qwabe started his academic career in 2000 prior the establishment of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in 2004. In 2009 he joint the defunct Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) as a Manager of the Local Governance Unit before rejoining the in 2011. Dr Qwabe teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and supervise postgraduate research in the Discipline of Public Governance in the School of Management, IT and Governance of the College of Law and Management. Dr Qwabe also coordinates postgraduates programmes including Honours and Masters full research in the Discipline. Finally, Dr Qwabe has presented at national and international conferences.