The teacher of a nation, legend William Smith has sadly left us. But what he leaves behind is a legacy of immense impact. Generations of students who got to pursue their dreams thanks to his guidance through treacherous subjects. And the indisputable proof that great teachers change the world:
South Africa (22 August 2024) — Yesterday, South Africa received the deeply saddening news that the teacher of a nation, William Smith, passed away at 85 years old.
While the loss of a legend loved so dearly by so many is never, ever easy, it also provides the opportunity to reflect and celebrate their lives. And in the case of Mr Smith, there is certainly an abundance to celebrate.
William Smith was born in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape to scientist parents. Following in their footsteps, a young William also pursued science and mathematics, driven by a passion to educate.
In the 1990s, William was a pioneer of what was then a budding edu-programming industry when he went on TV as a teacher on the ‘Learning Channel’ that aired on SABC 2. It was here that William would make a shining name for himself as the teacher of a nation; providing free educational lessons for South Africans through the one classroom that everyone could visit at home.
Considering South Africa’s socio-political landscape at the time, the impact of what William did cannot be understated—for the first time in South Africa’s history, all people could access the same educational resources. William made sure that no one would be left behind on the road to education, and for 25 years, he taught generations of students, and he is attributed as the reason many passed at all.
In 2019, William was awarded the prestigious National Order of the Baobab—the highest civic honour that commends distinguished service. This aptly symbolised the impact he had on our country. Without him, many would never have been able to achieve their dreams. Or believe they were capable of conquering what seemed impossible.
They say you never forget the teacher that changed your life. And for William, this sentiment couldn’t be more true to a great extent of magnitude as South Africans online are showcasing.
William’s Impact, as Told by His Students
“A peaceful journey to the asymptote of mathematical heaven, William Smith. Your legacy endures, much like the infinite nature of mathematics itself. Thank you for making its complexities understandable to so many of us.”—Phumzile Van Damme.
“Most South Africans from multiple generations owe their educational success in maths & physics to the great teachings of William Smith who just passed away from cancer,” writes Paballo Chauke who later added that William embodied this Nelson Mandela quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”—Nelson Mandela.
“The outpouring of affection the nation directed at him when he received his National Order demonstrated, years after his retirement, [demonstrated] the place he held in people’s hearts…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.”—President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“He made such a difference for Maths and Science learners far and wide.”—Premier Alan Winde.
“To the most famous Maths teacher, in South Africa, rest in peace, Sir. Mr William Smith will always be remembered for making the most hated subject, the most fun and easy to understand. A Maths whizz who we all learned from, from TV, in the comforts of our homes.”—Yumnah Jones.
“He helped me pass high school maths. He helped me get a distinction in first year Stats. And years later I got to write an article about him receiving a National Order. Thank you Mr Smith. You were a true helper.”—Brent Lindeque.
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