South Africans are paying tribute to their “favorite teacher,” William Smith, who died at 85. The beloved mathematics and science educator passed away after a brief battle with cancer, according to his family.
Smith was renowned for hosting a popular educational program on South Africa’s state broadcaster, SABC, which is credited with reaching and inspiring countless students across the country.
His innovative approach to teaching earned him numerous accolades, including a national award in 2019 presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The award recognized his significant contribution to “teaching and demystifying mathematics and science.”
President Ramaphosa described Smith as “an education and cultural icon to our nation.”
“William Smith’s passion for his curriculum and for the success of those he taught in classrooms, at matric camps, and on TV benefited millions of young South Africans even before our transition to democracy and the dawn of a new dispensation of equal education,” Ramaphosa said.
Smith is particularly celebrated for making math and science education accessible to millions of children through his groundbreaking 1990s TV program, Learning Channel, which he convinced SABC to air. The presidency described the program as “essentially an open South African school teaching physical science, mathematics, biology, and English.” The show provided disadvantaged students with free extra classes, often the only high-quality instruction available to them at the time.
Johan Ferreira, now a professor in the University of Pretoria‘s statistics department, was one of those students. He said that Smith had an “astounding effect,” adding that “the inspiration he elicited showed that anyone can understand science.”
Ferreira noted that today’s students have access to a wealth of educational material, but Smith was ahead of his time. “I like to think of William Smith as the original science content creator of South Africa,” he said.
Many people have taken to social media to express their gratitude and admiration for Smith, crediting him with their academic success in math and science. “William Smith got me through high school maths and science. What a legend and national treasure,” wrote Wendy Verwey Bekker on X.
Another user, Roy Petzer, reflected on Smith’s impact, saying, “It felt like we knew this man personally. Thank you, Mr. William Smith, for all those very narrow passes in maths that would not have been passes at all without you. Sorry we never paid you any school fees.”
Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri added, “Mr. Smith guided countless of us through high school maths with his TV lessons, leaving behind a legacy cherished by many South Africans.”
Throughout his career, Smith received numerous honors, including the national “Teacher of the Year” award. In 1998, he was voted one of the top three presenters on South African television for his teaching program. In 2004, he was ranked 86th on the list of the Top 100 Great South Africans.
After retiring, Smith moved with his family to Australia, where he passed away. His daughter, Jessica Smith, told South African news outlet News24 that he was surrounded by his family in his final moments.
“We are mourning him but also celebrating his legacy,” she said, adding that it was inspiring to see how others were celebrating his life and contributions.
Smith is survived by his wife, Jenny, his three daughters, and five grandchildren.
