President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep sadness at the passing away of maths and science education innovator and Esteemed Member of the National Order of the Baobab, William Smith.

In a statement on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the family and friends of the popular educator who passed away at the age of 85.

President Ramaphosa conferred the Order of the Baobab on Smith in 2019.

Born in Makhanda (in the Eastern Cape) to parents who were notable scientists, Smith made mathematics and science accessible to all pupils free, through television, in a groundbreaking 1990s TV programme called the 'Learning Channel' on SABC 2.

During his 25 years as a teacher, he is estimated to have taught close on a million learners.

President Ramaphosa described William Smith as an education and cultural icon for the nation.

"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.

"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," the President said.

President Ramaphosa stated that Smith made maths and science accessible to a broad audience, reaching not only learners but also their parents and anyone interested in revisiting or further exploring these subjects long after their school years.

"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," the President said.