South Africa Mourns Beloved Teacher and Innovator William Smith, Dead at 85

outh Africans are paying heartfelt tributes to their "favourite teacher," William Smith, who passed away at the age of 85 after a brief battle with cancer. The iconic educator and TV presenter died on Wednesday morning, surrounded by his family.

Smith is best remembered for hosting the groundbreaking learning programme Learning Channel on state broadcaster SABC in the 1990s. Through this show, Smith revolutionized maths and science education in South Africa, offering free lessons to millions of students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who had limited access to quality education.

His innovative teaching methods and ability to simplify complex concepts earned him national admiration. In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa honored him with a national award for his outstanding contributions to "teaching and demystifying mathematics and science."

President Ramaphosa described Smith as "an education and cultural icon to our nation," hailing his passion for education and his ability to make learning accessible to all. "William Smith’s dedication to teaching benefited millions of young South Africans, even before the advent of equal education in our country," the president remarked.

Smith's Learning Channel programme became a lifeline for many students, offering high-quality instruction in mathematics, science, biology, and English. At a time when resources were scarce, Smith's televised lessons provided crucial support to pupils across the country, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science and mathematics.

Johan Ferreira, now a professor at the University of Pretoria, credits Smith's lessons as being pivotal to his academic success. "William Smith had an astounding effect on me," Ferreira told the BBC. "He inspired me and many others to believe that science was within our reach."

Many South Africans have shared similar sentiments, taking to social media to express their gratitude. "William Smith got me through high school maths and science. What a legend and national treasure," wrote one user, Wendy Verwey Bekker.

During his life, Smith was awarded numerous accolades, including South Africa's "Teacher of the Year" and a spot among the top three TV presenters in 1998. In 2004, he was voted 86th on the list of Top 100 Great South Africans.

After retiring, Smith relocated to Australia with his family, where he spent his final years. His daughter, Jessica Smith, confirmed his passing to News24, noting that while the family was mourning, they were also celebrating his remarkable legacy.

William Smith is survived by his wife, Jenny, their three daughters, and five grandchildren. His life and contributions to education will be remembered and cherished by many.