​​​​​​​​​The Russel Botman Memorial Lecture was very special  as a portrait of Prof Russel Botman was unveiled, a book about him launched and recognition given to students that received the Russel Botman Bursaries last night. The Memorial Lecture was delivered by Judge Zak Yacoob, retired judge from the Constitutional Court. (See other article on his lecture)​ 

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The Russel Botman portrait by Fiona Metcalfe

The painting of the late Prof Russel Botman differs from most of the portraits done by Fiona Metcalfe. It's not one of a man with a serious expression, dressed in a suit, sitting formally behind his office desk. On the contrary, the late Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University is presented as smiling where he stands in a street on the Stellenbosch campus, most probably just greeting and chatting to students. Behind him on lampposts are banners of the Hope Project, a project he started which is aimed at eradicating poverty, and promoting human dignity and health, democracy, human rights, peace and security.

The portrait was unveiled at the Russel Botman Memorial Lecture on 18 October 2017, which was also Botman's birthday. Along with the unveiling ceremony, a book paying tribute to Botman was launched and nine students that received the Russel Botman bursaries, were acknowledged.

Metcalfe, a well-known artist of especially portrait paintings, started preparing to paint the portrait of Botman in 2016. Before she started, she spent several months meeting people who had known Botman, collecting photos and placing them on a dummy with layers of pictures portraying Botman. This continued until all the parties involved felt the picture compilation reflected the person. Then Metcalfe started painting from what was compiled on the dummy.

There were many challenges in painting Botman's portrait. For one thing, Metcalfe usually paints portraits of living people and has the opportunity to take many pictures of the living person; from these she finds the necessary details to paint the person.

Metcalfe believes that the subject of a portrait painting should preferably have a neutral expression. She says: “Portraits are meant to hang on a wall for centuries. This is not so good if there is a wide grin staring from the wall.  People are funny nowadays. They think they want to look something like an Instagram photo. They are used to selfies. A portrait is something totally different."

But she made an exception in the case of Botman. He was always smiling and Metcalfe, for all her efforts, just could not find a picture of him not smiling. She also spoke to Botman's wife, Beryl, and many other people who knew Botman, but they could not help her.

She explained: “He was a friendly person, always smiling and there was no other way to portray him. I attempted to paint him like he was. He loved to be out in the open air greeting and chatting to students. I did the same with the portrait of the late Dr Van Zyl Slabbert (former Chancellor of SU), who also always preferred to be outside."

As a student Metcalfe's nickname was “Killer Eye". Even from a distance she could see details and measure things with her eyes that other people couldn't, or needed a measuring tape to do. Metcalfe has long not been a student, but still has the killer eye which helps her paint portraits that resemble a person 100% or even more – each portrait offers more than just an external appearance.

The portrait can be seen in Stellenbosch University Museum.

Caption: Fiona Metcalfe  a few weeks ago busy finishing off the portrait of late Prof Russel Botman. Photo: Stefan Els​

​ A book commemorating Russel Botman

A book on the late Prof Russel Botman, who had been Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU) for seven years until his unexpected death in 2014, was launched  during the Russel Botman Memorial Lecture last night. Yesterday would also have been his birthday.

The origins of the book go back a long way. It had already been discussed before Botman passed away in 2014. 

Prof Albert Grundlingh from the History Department says that shortly before Botman died the possibility of a book on the history of the University, linked to the Centenary in 2018, was raised. “Botman also mentioned that he wanted to publish a book on his own academic career. I said we could certainly talk about that, but then he passed away a short time afterwards."

Soon after his death a start was made on the book under Grundlingh, Prof Nico Koopman, Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Staff at SU, and Ruda Landman, former Matie and well-known TV personality. Sixteen people in all worked on writing the life story of the former Rector, including Cornelius Thomas, the late Johan G Botha, Dirk Smit, Mary-Anne Plaatjies-Van Huffel, Anlené Taljaard, Ludolph Botha, Paul Cluver, Gerhard Lubbe, Martin Viljoen, Marita Hilliges, Andrew Casson, MS Tshehla, Thabo T Fako and Beryl Botman. The Foreword was written by Koopman, who was also a personal friend of Botman's.

Three years later the book was published.

Grundlingh says: “I find it remarkable that, while he was still active, Botman saw an opportunity for producing a book on his life. He also intended to retire soon afterwards."

Grundlingh explains: “One chapter had a particular interest for me personally as a historian because of its historical dimension – his early life as a student. This aspect had never been covered before. Cornelius Thomas from Rhodes University undertook to write about Botman's youth and his student years. He was able to deal most effectively with this period on the basis of interviews he conducted and letters that had been traced. The chapter deals, among other things, with his early years in Bloemfontein and then his later move to Johannesburg; he initially intended to do a BSc degree; there was also the constant struggle to keep going, especially financially."

​He continues: “This is followed by chapters on his role as minister in the church and how he worked in his congregations. Subsequent sections of the book deal with his later roles as lecturer and Rector, as well as with the Hope Project, which was his initiative. The penultimate chapter gives an account of the tributes paid to him after his death. They reveal what people will remember about him. The epilogue was written by his wife, Beryl, and offers a glimpse of the kind of person he was."

Grundlingh points out that a book has been written over the years about every SU Rector, but he thinks this one is different. “Russel was the only Rector of Stellenbosch University to date who has died in office. The book is predominantly academic, but is also something of a tribute."

Grundlingh also thinks that there is a message for everyone in the book. He puts it like this: “Apart from the fact that Russel was the first black rector of SU, he did not hesitate to take on any challenge. He also wanted to give Stellenbosch a more human image. This was sometimes done at some cost to himself."

The book is published in English and Afrikaans, and will be available commercially.

Caption: Prof Albert Grundlingh sits at his desk reviewing the Russel Botman book. Photo: Stefan Els

Russel Botman Bursary Recipients

The nine students who received Prof Russel Botman Bursaries in 2016 and 2017 are very thankful as it contributed to fulfilling their dreams of studying at Stellenbosch University (SU). They were acknowledged at the annual Russel Botman Memorial Lecture  held  on the day  (18 October), the  late SU Rector and Vice-chancellor's birthday. Prof Botman, who passed away on 28 June 2014, established the bursary fund on his 60th birthday on 18 October 2013.

These students also received a book written in tribute to Prof Botman. The book was also launched at the function.

The nine students are:

•   Soné Reens (top, first from left)
  
  She is currently a final-year student in BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. She hails from Herold, 25 km outside George.
  “Receiving this bursary helped me tremendously. I always did my best to obtain good marks, to achieve my goals and dreams. I'm honoured to be one of the first recipients of the Russel Botman Bursary and proud to be part of his great legacy. As Russel Botman Bursary recipients it is our duty to live up to his expectations," Reens comments about the bursary. 

•  Sandiso Sogula (bottom, second from right)
  

He is in his pre-final year of completing a Postgraduate LLB. Sandiso comes from Dunoon in Milnerton, Cape Town.

“I am very happy - this bursary means a lot to me as now I can focus on my studies and not have to worry about funding, but most importantly I am grateful to be one of the recipients as this is an opportunity of a lifetime," he said.

•  Randall van den Heever ( top, second from left)
  

He is currently a third-year student in BAccounting. He hails from Nababeep, Northern Cape.

“It gives me great joy to know that I have been granted the opportunity to reach for my dreams. I see this as a gift and a great honour and I feel privileged to be part of the Russel Botman family," Randall said.

•  Ayanda Bless (bottom, second from left)

She is a first year studying ​Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She was born and raised in Guguletu, Cape Town.

“I feel honoured and truly blessed to have received the Russel Botman Bursary. I am happy that the donors chose me to be one of the recipients because that proves that they believe in my potential as a student and as a person in general. Receiving this bursary has by far been the highlight for me for 2017.

I would like to thank Mrs Botman and her team again for this wonderful opportunity that they have granted me this year. I do not think they fully understand the depth and meaning of what they have done for me and my family. My prayer is that they will continue to provide such opportunities to other students who are financially disadvantaged as well," Ayanda said.

•  Robyn Leigh Bolters (bottom, first from left)
  

He is a final-year student in BSc Food Science. He comes from Plumstead, Cape Town.

“I am extremely honoured and humbled by this blessing as it not only means a lot to me, but to my family as well. This opportunity opens a door to financial freedom for my final year of studies, and I will forever be grateful for it. Receiving this funding has made me realise that hard work and dedication do pay off, qualities Russel Botman himself stood for, and I will continue to do my best to honour his memory and legacy," Robyn said.

•  Nomalinge Mzaza (top, second from right)
  

She is studying BSc Food Science and is in her 2nd year. She comes from Plettenberg Bay.

“I am grateful that out of thousands of students at Stellenbosch University, I was given such a great opportunity to be a Russel Botman Bursary beneficiary. To me all the support which was given to me really means a lot and it showed me that when you work hard, you are noticed by the University and this bursary really helped as some of us come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. I also loved the fact that members of the Russel Botman trust fund showed great support by arranging one on one sessions to check on us - that really shows it is not just about money, but that they care about us as well as our academics, I cannot thank them enough," she said.

• Robyn Snyman (middle): She is in second year of her LLB studies. She comes from Cape Town.
  

"Receiving the Russel Botman bursary left me with absolute glee, not only due to the fact of it relieving my parents from the high demand of tertiary student fees, but also because of the calibre and character of Professor Russel Botman, a personal hero and inspiration of mine. Someone who was not afraid to challenge the calls of injustice and inequality, someone I, in my day to day life try to emulate and channel. Being associated with such a great and noble man like the late Prof, truly fills my being with absolute happiness," she said.

• ​Nandipha Dlamini (bottom, first from right): She is a second year student in  BSc Animal Production (Animal Science) and comes from a small town in Eastern Cape called Bizana. She I went to high school in KwaZulu Natal for 5 years.
  

"Receiving the Russel Botman Bursary is a huge blessing and opportunity. It means a lot because it brings me a step closer towards achieving my goals. I appreciate the opportunity and I am motivated to work even harder," She said.

The other recipient is:​

• ​Christina van Eck (top , first from right):  She is in the 2nd year of BA (Language and Culture) studies. She comes from Cape Town

" My entire term of studying so far, from first year, was worrying about getting great marks and getting the best job to pay off debt. I have only myself and am responsible for all costs regarding University and therefore every cent was counted. Receiving this bursary changed my view of studying, it gave me the chance to concentrate on the present, and not worry about the future. I feel comfortable to study and give time to myself, rather than worrying about the next day or the rest of the year. To get this bursary is one of the biggest blessing I could have received. Not only because it helps me financially, but because the people involved have helped me to feel a sense of belonging. Even though they have no responsibility towards me, they have been there every step of the way, and it has helped me to feel less alone, helped me feel as though I have a kind of family even though it is not the traditional one."

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