Willie has extensive experience in telecommunications and broadcasting policy including in his native South Africa, as advisor to the first post-apartheid government. Willie was formerly a councillor on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). In the mid 90s, he was special adviser to Dr Pallo Jordan, Minister of Posts Telecommunications and Broadcasting in the first post-apartheid government. In this capacity, he coordinated the telecommunications policy process that led to the White Paper on Telecommunications Policy.
Prior to this, as General Secretary of the Film and Allied Workers Organisation (FAWO), Willie was involved in the development of broadcasting policy during the transition to democracy in South Africa.
Willie holds an MA in Film and Television Studies for Education from the University of London, Institute of Education. Willie currently lives in New York.
