Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Macdonald Smith |
| Date of Birth | 25 June 1939 |
| Place of Birth | Makhanda (Grahamstown), South Africa |
| Date of Death | 21 August 2024 |
| Age at Death | 85 years |
| Parents | Margaret Mary Smith (Mother), Prof. J. L. B. Smith (Father) |
| Education | – Union High School, Graaff-Reinet |
| – BSc in Physics and Chemistry, Rhodes University | |
| – Honours in Chemistry, Rhodes University (Cum Laude) | |
| – Master’s degree, University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg) | |
| Career | Science and Mathematics Teacher, Educational TV Presenter |
| Notable Works | The Learning Channel, Star Schools |
| Awards | – Teacher of the Year (1991) |
| – S2A3 Certificate of Merit (1992) | |
| – Order of the Baobab in Silver (2019) | |
| – Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa), Rhodes University (2021) | |
| Other Roles | – Conservationist, Owner of Featherbed Nature Reserve |
| – Owner of Rivercat Ferries | |
| Television Appearances | – A Word or 2 (Quiz Show) |
| Residence | Knysna, South Africa |
| Final Residence | Perth, Australia |
William Macdonald Smith was a South African science and mathematics teacher renowned for his influential educational television programs. He was instrumental in making mathematics and science accessible to students across the country, earning recognition for his contributions to education in South Africa.
Early Life and Education
William Macdonald Smith was born on June 25, 1939, in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), South Africa. He was the son of the renowned ichthyologists Margaret Mary Smith and Professor J. L. B. Smith, famous for identifying the coelacanth. Smith attended St. Andrew’s Prep and Union High School in Graaff-Reinet. He pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Chemistry at Rhodes University, followed by an honours degree in Chemistry (cum laude) from the same institution. He completed his master’s degree at the University of Natal in a remarkable seven months.
Smith showed an early interest in film and camerawork, scripting, shooting, and producing a 50-minute documentary, The Garden Route, in 1960, which was digitized and relaunched in 2010.
Career
After initially working at African Explosives and Chemical Industries (AECI), Smith shifted to education, founding Star Schools, which provided supplementary education to help students prepare for their matriculation exams. Star Schools became notable for their accessibility, offering education in subjects like mathematics and physical science that were inadequately covered under the apartheid-era Bantu Education system. Despite the legal restrictions of apartheid, Smith ran multi-racial classes, never turning away black students.
In 1990, Smith began producing educational television programs for The Learning Channel, funded by Hylton Appelbaum of the Liberty Life Foundation. His work on the program made him a household name, and in 1998, he was voted as one of the top three television presenters in South Africa.
Smith’s impact on education extended beyond his television work. He won the Teacher of the Year award in 1991 and was recognized with numerous accolades, including the Order of the Baobab in Silver in 2019 for his services to teaching and the “demystification of mathematics and science.”
Conservation Work
In addition to his educational contributions, Smith was a passionate conservationist. He owned the Featherbed Nature Reserve in Knysna until 2008 and also operated Rivercat Ferries, offering boat tours in the Knysna lagoon.
Later Life, Death and Cause of Death
William Smith continued to influence education and conservation throughout his life. He passed away on August 21, 2024, in Perth, Australia, at the age of 85. The beloved maths and science teacher and innovator died on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer, his family said.
Awards and Recognition
- 1991: Technotron/Barlow Rand/Pretoria University Teacher of the Year award.
- 1992: South African Association for the Advancement of Science (S2A3) Certificate of Merit.
- 2004: Ranked 86th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.
- 2004: Awarded honorary life membership of the Golden Key International organisation.
- 2006: Department of Communications’ Golden Plumes Award for contributions to South African television.
- 2019: Invested with the Order of the Baobab in Silver by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- 2021: Received a Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) from Rhodes University.