William Smith, die onnie wat jare wiskunde-klasse op die Learning Channel op televisie aanbied het, het Woensdag 21 Augustus in die ouderdom van 85 aan kanker in Perth, Australië, gesterf.
Medelye met Smith se afsterwe stroom van heinde en verre in. Baie sê Smith het hulle wiskunde en matriek laat slaag,
Hy is op 25 Junie 1939 in Grahamstad gebore en het aan die Hoërskool Union in Graaff-Reinet gematrikuleer.
Alan Winde, premier van die Wes-Kaap sê: “I am so sorry to hear of the passing of William Smith. He made such a difference for Maths and Science learners far and wide. William will also be fondly remembered for promoting tourism in Knysna along with his wife Jenny. From the Brand of Knysna to Featherbed and the ferries, from John Benn to old Three Legs. RIP William and my condolences to Jenny and the family.”
Johrné van Huissteen het ‘n Groot Ontbyt-onderhoud wat hy met Smith gehad het, gedeel.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, wat in 2019 die Nasionale Orde van die Boabab aan Smith toegeken het, het Smith se heengaan betreur, “William Smith was an education and cultural icon to our nation.
“The outpouring of affection the nation directed at him when he received his National Order demonstrated, years after his retirement, the place he held in people’s hearts.
“He was synonymous with The Heads of Knysna which was the backdrop to his television presentation decades before we could think of him as the first teacher to teach ‘remotely’.
“He demystified maths and science for his audience which extended beyond learners to their parents and anyone who wished to revisit these subjects or learn more, long after they had left school.
“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.
“May his soul rest in peace.”
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, Issued by: The Presidency Pretoria
Bronne: Wikipedia, Johrné van Huyssteen, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Premier Alan Winde, DA
