The world is facing so many ongoing and new challenges and during the month of April, we are called upon to change the world. Prof Russel Botman made this very call on many different occasions, in fact whenever he had the opportunity.

Some of our world religions are celebrating events central to the respective faiths. To mention only two, Ramadan and Easter call for us to rethink our lives with one another and on this planet. Also, Earth Day makes this appeal on their official website,

This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods.

For Earth Day 2022, we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.

Let us all stand up and be counted for these appeals during Freedom Month and Freedom Day. “We do this not for ourselves, but for future generations,” is what we can comfortably say in the words of Russel Botman during this time.

Stand up, make yourself heard, be seen, be counted and donate for the future of our youth who holds tomorrow. In so doing, we provide bursary opportunities that would go a long way and allow them to stand up and be counted in changing our world.

Donate to the Russel Botman Bursary Fund at Stellenbosch University.