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"Africa needs a new generation of responsible leaders who will be willing to place the public good before self interest."

"Africa needs a new generation of responsible leaders who will be willing to place the public good before self interest."

– Russel Botman

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18 October 1943 – 28 June 2014

Prof. H Russel Botman

Russel Botman, who held positions as professor and dean in theology, was the first and only black rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University after being the second black deputy vice-chancellor. As minister of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, he was always a steadfast leader toward unity in the Uniting Church of Southern Africa. He was an “academic by nomination”, called upon in higher education in ethics, missiology and public theology.

Learn more about RBBF

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Our team

Learn about the team behind the Russel Botman Bursary Foundation and how their experience impacts the vision.

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Our Donors

The Russel Botman Bursary Fund committee members would like to sincerely thank all the donors that have contributed over the years.

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Russel Botman Annual Lecture

This lecture is arranged on or close to the birthday of Russel Botman (18 October) at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University

ABOUT

Russel Botman bursary fund

Russel Botman Bursary Fund launched on the 18th of October 2013 – on his 60th birthday. Botman asked guests to contribute to the bursary fund instead of giving personal gifts and as such the first donations to the fund came from the invited guests of his 60th birthday celebrations.

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Tribute Book

Russel Botman: A Tribute 1953-2014

The celebratory volume relates the life story of the late Russel Botman from his earliest childhood until his last day as rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University.

The various tributes start with Botman’s youth and student years. Other aspects of his life portrayed include his church involvement, academic teaching, research, local and international university management, memorial reflection and a personal view.

“The nature of the tributes and celebratory volumes is that they can never be exhaustive. It tells a rich story from limited perspectives. However, it serves as an invitation, stimulus and inspiration to others connected to Botman to tell their stories about his story. If this volume fulfils that role, it has served its purpose.”

The Russel Botman Collection

Beryl Botman collected and donated personal documents and books to the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University. The books are mostly kept in the faculty library and others in the Gericke Library. The documents include his profile, sermons, speeches, articles and notes. All of these were categorised and are kept at the archive of the Beyers Naude Centre for Public Theology where they are available for use.

Bursary Recipients

Bursary Recipients

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NEWS & MEDIA

Blog Posts

Blog Post 1

Success for 2024

We start 2024 still mindful of how we ended the previous year. We ended with the celebration of the successes of our 2023 Russel Botman

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Donate towards the

Russel Botman Bursary Fund

The late Prof Russel Botman was passionate about creating opportunities for deserving students to gain access to higher education. And it is this legacy that Stellenbosch University will continue to honour – with your help.

Prof Botman established the Russel Botman Bursary Fund (RBBF) on his 60th birthday on 18 October 2013 – requesting friends, family and colleagues to contribute to the Fund in lieu of gifts. This Bursary Fund now gives each one of us the opportunity to help make his dream of creating a better future for the next generation, a reality.

Prof Hayman Russel Botman did not only make a positive difference in Stellenbosch but was highly-regarded in higher education circles the world over.