Willie was born in the small town of Petrus Steyn in the Northern Free State.
Matriculated at Heilbron High School and his first job was at Clover SA in Heilbron.
Shortly afterwards he joined Sasol One in Sasolburg and completed his studies part-time at the then PU for CHE Vanderbijl Park campus. And then he also obtained degrees B Comm at the University.
In 2007 he got the MBA degree and in 2009 his PHD in business studies with the topic Entrepreneurship in SA in perspective.
From 2008 he is based in George with his businesses Cilliers Accountants, The Entrepreneur Navigator, Upstairs at Harry’s restaurant, the Assupol Life Franchise in the Southern Cape as well as the Martins Funeral Franchise in George.
Willie has a heart and passion for Entrepreneurship and believes that it is the only way to create sustainable job opportunities in SA.
He also serves as chairman for the AHi in the Western Cape with a focus on the Southern Cape. He has been actively involved with the George Chamber of Commerce since 2008 and served as President from 2013 to 2024.
He currently serves as the Chairperson of Business Western Cape, the voice of business in the Western Cape and their membership of AHI, WECBOF, NAFCOC, BBC and Accelerate Cape Town.
He also serves as a former director and is currently a member of the special task force for the reform of the Institute of Business Advisors (IBASA).
He is married to Nelia and has 3 daughters and two grandchildren. He enjoys creative woodworking, fishing and camping with his family.
