By Thabo Mosia
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness following the passing of William Smith, a beloved figure in South African education, who died at the age of 85. Smith, who was renowned for his innovative approach to teaching maths and science, passed away after a battle with advanced, incurable cancer at his home in Perth, Australia.
A Legacy of Educational Innovation:
William Smith is widely celebrated for making mathematics and science accessible to millions of South Africans, particularly through his groundbreaking television programme, The Learning Channel, which aired on SABC 2 during the 1990s. His approach not only reached students but also engaged parents and adults who sought to deepen their understanding of these critical subjects. Over his 25-year teaching career, Smith is estimated to have taught close to a million learners, making an indelible mark on South African education.
National Recognition:
In 2019, President Ramaphosa conferred the National Order of the Baobab in Silver on Smith, recognising his exceptional contributions to education. The President described Smith as “an education and cultural icon” who continued to hold a special place in the hearts of South Africans long after his retirement. Smith’s television lessons were pioneering, using The Heads of Knysna as a backdrop for his presentations, making him one of the first educators to embrace what we now recognise as remote learning.
Tributes and Condolences:
President Ramaphosa, in a heartfelt statement, acknowledged the profound impact Smith had on the education sector. He noted that Smith’s passion for teaching and his commitment to the success of his students, whether in classrooms, matric camps, or on television, benefited millions of young South Africans, even before the country’s transition to democracy.
Tributes have also poured in from various sectors of society, with political figures and educators alike honouring Smith’s legacy. The ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, praised Smith for making complex subjects accessible and inspiring a passion for learning across generations. Similarly, the Democratic Alliance and the Inkatha Freedom Party acknowledged Smith’s transformative impact on maths and science education in South Africa.
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