Williams was born on the Cape Flats in Cape Town. He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in International Investment and Trade Law from Stellenbosch University and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Pretoria.

Williams worked as the chief director of International Trade and Economic Development at the Department of Trade and Industry before he was elected to the City of Tshwane council.

After matriculating, he joined the French Foreign Legion in the 1980s for a period of six years. After the unbanning of the political parties in the early 1990s, he returned to South Africa and commenced his studies. Listen to the informal interview …