A legacy – Our Heritage

Heritage day blog post

September is the month that we celebrate South African heritage. It is also the month before we particularly bring the legacy of the late Prof Russel Botman into memory. The legacy he leaves has become our heritage. Prof Botman leaves us with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom in the form of documents, speeches, TV, […]

When the invisible becomes our light

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Jul 2023 Recently I attended a truly magnificent and inspiring event. In fact two related events. The first was a conversation between three persons and the second a conversation so vast, I cannot determine the layers of its impact yet. And all of this at the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University. Andrew Lilley, a professor at […]

Take Up Opportunities

An image of professor Botman surrounded by young students

In everything, a son of the African soil. Youth Day in South Africa has become a red-letter day on our calendar since 1976. This year is the 47th year of commemoration of that day when the youth took up the baton in the struggle for liberation. Almost half a century of placing youth issues on […]

Africa: his home, his passion

Blog image of Professor Botman

In everything, a son of the African soil. Paying tribute to Prof Russel Botman, would be empty if his inclusion of and participation in issues of importance to the continent of Africa were not mentioned. Being African was always part of the framing of all his professional work. This piece of writing wishes to point […]

Learning to Embrace Equity

Image of Roxanne Botman giving a speech in a lecture room on women's day

The Russel Botman Bursary Fund committee kicked off the month of March by meeting with bursary applicants to help us make informed decisions on our bursary allocation process. It was both a heart-warming and extremely challenging experience. We heard various stories about prospective recipients’ backgrounds, hopeful reflections on their futures, and how their education will […]

Second Chances

Image of Professor Botman

In March, Stellenbosch University rewards and celebrates second chances. Those students who fulfilled only some of the requirements during the previous academic year were given second chances. These second chances should not be scoffed at or disrespected. As the saying goes: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. The Russel Botman Bursary […]

Sharing as love

A blog image showing a heart made with books

February sees the start of the academic year at Stellenbosch University. We are in the tenth year of the existence of the Russel Botman Bursary Fund that we will celebrate in October 2023. Ten years of putting Prof Botman’s hope, the dream of personally contributing to access to higher education into real and tangible action. […]

Telling Stories, Enriching Lives

A blog Image of Doctor Beryl with colleagues

Last month the Russel Botman Bursary Fund celebrated its ninth anniversary at the annual Russel Botman Memorial Lecture. It was once again another occasion for us to remember the life and impact of the man Russel Botman. This year Prof Thuli Madonsela related stories of their joint experiences in public speaking on issues of justice […]

Looking back, going forward

Blog image of Professor Botman giving a speech

October 2013 saw the establishment of the Russel Botman Bursary Fund on Prof Botman’s 60th and last birthday. Two years later the first Russel Botman Memorial Lecture took place while celebrating the second anniversary of the RBBF at Stellenbosch University and the first bursaries were granted to deserving students who made us proud. True to the […]

SU in the News

Blog image of Professor Botman and Doctor Botman.

Stellenbosch University has recently again been mentioned in the media about issues and behaviours that should not be expected in any institution of higher learning. We at the Russel Botman Bursary Fund, wish to express our utter abhorrence regarding any racist acts or discriminatory culture on the campus.  For decisive action and steady progress, we […]