Alexandra Willis

Researcher | Writer | PhD candidate in Political Studies (Wits)

[IEC South Africa @IECSouthAfrica]

Silence is a Choice and It Comes at a Cost

Choosing not to vote might feel like a personal decision — but it has public consequences.

When young people disengage from the electoral process, the power to decide shifts to those who do show up. Policies, priorities, and leadership choices are then shaped without your voice in the room.

Democracy doesn’t pause for absence. It moves forward with whoever participates.

If you don’t vote, someone else decides on your behalf.

Make sure you’re registered and ready. Don’t leave your future in someone else’s hands.
Registration: https://t.co/b8uWuiZHka

#WozaLGE202627 #YouthVoteMatters #YourVoteMatters

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

If you’re not (yet) registered to vote this is your sign 😊

[IEC South Africa @IECSouthAfrica]

Be Election Ready! Register online TODAY! 🇿🇦 Don't wait – register for LGE 2026 now. It's safe, quick & easy. First-time voters (16+): Register today → ready to vote at 18! Already registered? Check & update your address NOW. Register where you live. Vote where you're registered. IMPORTANT: No Section 24A in local elections – you can ONLY vote at your registered station. Update now!

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

It’s been an emotional couple of days, but honesty remains the best policy. #Roedean #KingDavid

[JvL 🇿🇦 @JvanLogg]

OPINION | Roedean’s tennis boycott is everything wrong with performative politics https://t.co/BbYbcjaAlA

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

My take on the #Roedean saga, published by #News24 https://t.co/MbOvmCwJAU

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

@isobelspii @YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA Couldn’t have said it any better @isobelspii

[Youth Lab @YouthLabZA]

Q3: Another aspect of @SPI_OfficialZA’s work is sharing information and research. Can you talk us through the importance of research and evidence that's based on lived experiences during policy processes? @isobelspii @AlexW_ZA

#socialpolicy

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA @AlexW_ZA While data and statistics are NB, to be able to showcase someone’s reality is the strongest argument. It is important not to extract people’s stories but to create opportunities for people’s truth to come through.

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA @AlexW_ZA Policy affects everyone and so it is obvious that the more views brought to the table the better the policy will be- if you are paying grants it is great to hear from older people HOW they want to get their grants, or that food parcels not as good as cash

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

@YouthLabZA it is important for a multiplicity of voices to be present to present a united voice that speaks for the people in a democratic society

[Youth Lab @YouthLabZA]

Q2: Part of SPII's vision is to bring together policy makers, analysts and implementers from government, academia and civil society. Why is it important for multiple voices to be present during policy-making processes? @SPI_OfficialZA @isobelspii @AlexW_ZA

#socialpolicy

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA BIG is a monthly unconditional cash grant that we say everyone should get of R1500 per month, it would end extreme poverty overnight, allow township businesses to flourish and bring dignity #socialpolicy

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@AlexW_ZA @YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA @DumaGqubule @SPI_OfficialZA published a paper last year showing global BIG programmes/ it is tried and tested

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@AlexW_ZA @YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA @DumaGqubule So it gets paid to all so no poor person won’t get it, and the rich pay it back through tax

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

@YouthLabZA @isobelspii @SPI_OfficialZA @DumaGqubule A #UBIG or Universal Basic Income Grant is an idea whose time has come. It is the concept that everyone should have access to the economy with a basic income that could be used to generate more income for self-starters and for others could be used for people to get by

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA Using research and policy analysis we show how policies are failing and what would@work better like a BIG. We operate at Nedlac where we input into policy process directly, and we work at community level on human rights trainings

[Isobel Frye @isobelspii]

@YouthLabZA @SPI_OfficialZA Thanks and shout out to YouthLab. SPI uses research as a tool for social policy change. We use evidence to contest regressive policies and to show how other policies can achieve a more just and prosperous SA faster and better, like Basic Income Grant

[Ed Pomfret @EdPomfret]

"If doing what is right makes you a stooge of somebody, I openly confess I'm a stooge of the Zambian people."
Hakainde Hichilema
#Zambia
#ExpensivePoverty

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

“If you want to help look at the population” — Bobby Wine, Greg Mills and Robin

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

“Don’t fund our oppressor” — Bobby Wine cited by Dr Greg Mills @Gjbm555 at the launch of #expensivepoverty @BrenthurstF

[Alexandra Willis @AlexW_ZA]

At @Gjbm555 Dr Greg Mills’ book launch of #expensivepoverty @BrenthurstF