News24 | William Smith, South Africa's favourite teacher, dies

Smith was awarded the Order of the Baobab in Silver by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 for his excellent contribution to the teaching and demystification of mathematics and science.

• SA's beloved mathematics and science teacher, William Smith, died on Wednesday morning.
• Smith, 85, had a short battle with cancer.
• He was known for his significant contribution to simplifying educational concepts.

South Africa's beloved mathematics and science teacher, William Smith, who helped many pupils pass due to his lessons on TV over the years, has died at the age of 85.

Smith died in Australia on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer.

His daughter, Jessica Smith, told News24 he was surrounded by family in his final moments.

Jessica said her father was diagnosed with stage four cancer a few weeks ago, leaving them with very little time to spend with him.

"It's always hard when someone you love passes on, but you know that is inevitable. We are very fortunate that we could be together as a family, be there in his final moments, and that he went fairly peacefully," she said.

She said the family mourned the loss of her father, but they were also celebrating his legacy, like the many South Africans who shared messages on social media.

Her father's life, she said, had come full circle.

"I think my dad had a very simple vision, which was bringing education to everyone and not letting race or language or socio-economics or any other reasons stand in the way of education. He was such a firm believer in the power of education," she said.

"There's a lot of downsides to social media, but the good side is that people were able to talk about what he meant and how he influenced their lives, their careers and their decision-making. Some people have just done the most amazing things with the skills  and knowledge that my dad gave."

Smith hosted a day-time education programme, called the Learning Channel on the SABC, where he simplified methods of solving maths sums step-by-step. For years, he appeared in South African homes, sharing knowledge on other subjects as well, such as Science, Biology and English.

He started the programme in the 1990s, so he could give disadvantaged pupils access to free extra classes, convincing the public broadcaster to air his offering.

Many have taken to social media to share high school memories of the man they laud as the reason behind their success.

Some even admitted to bunking school, to sit in their living rooms and catch up with the country's favourite maths teacher.

Jessica said it was inspiring to see people celebrate her father.

"When you're behind the camera, you don't always know exactly who that is on the other side and what they're going to do with it. But a couple of years ago, I was on Twitter [now X], I got that feedback and I showed him what people were saying. And he was very moved," she said.

"He said to me 'this is why I did it'. Not being behind the screen during retirement years to be able to hear people's stories about how you helped them… it was just exactly what he wanted."

Smith was awarded the Order of the Baobab in Silver by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 for his excellent contribution to the teaching and demystification of mathematics and science.

In 2021, Rhodes University conferred a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) to Smith for the Learning Channel programme.

In his prime, Smith completed his BSc and his BSc (Hons), both with distinction, at Rhodes University.

His father was Professor JLB Smith, who identified the coelacanth, and his mother, Margaret Smith, ichthyologist and accomplished fish illustrator.

"Over the years, Mr Smith reached many young people in South Africa and beyond, for whom his televised lessons were the only quality instruction they received in Mathematics and Science," wrote Rhodes University's vice-chancellor, Sizwe Mabizela, in 2021.

"Thanks to his exceptional teaching skills and compassion, for almost two decades, the Learning Channel became an indispensable platform for young people of our country to receive interactive TV education in Mathematics and Science. In this way, he became the teacher for the entire South African nation."

Smith is survived by his wife, Jenny, his three daughters and five grandchildren.