With the first semester behind us, our students are very focused on their academic and other responsibilities. They have proven that they are coping well with all the expectations as well-rounded beings at this stage in the preparation for their respective careers. We greatly admire them for their dedication and tenacity. We also appreciate it that they further answer to the call to social participation and leadership positions. This does not come easy. Their academic programmes really leave very little room for anything else, but they are dedicated to the call for social responsibility together with academic excellence. Prof Botman established the Russel Botman Bursary Fund to ensure that admission to higher education be supported.

It is for this reason we are grateful for the generous donors who continue to be dedicated to this cause. We call upon a broader community to be inspired by Prof Botman to make this inspiration real. Donate and create bursary opportunities for deserving recipients to access study opportunities at Stellenbosch University.

Let us break the prevalent idea that it is only the wealthy that can be identified as philanthropists. We are collectively philanthropists if we give to this worthy cause to make not only the lives of our students better but also that of their families and communities. In the long run, we all benefit when they contribute to a better society. Give for the public good to help make life better for others. Give in the spirit of altruism. Give in the name of the late Prof Russel Botman.