Shock and sadness at death of Stellenbosch University leader

Dr Max Price, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, expressed his shock and sadness at the sudden death of Professor Botman on Friday night, 27 June 2014. Dr Price said: "We worked closely with Professor Botman as leader of one of the four Western Cape universities, and he was an outstanding colleague. He was committed both to enhancing the standing of his own university, and also to enhancing the collaboration and collective success of the universities of the region the country and the continent."

Professor Botman served on the Executive of the Board of Higher Education South Africa for five years. At a continental level, he served as Vice-President of the Association for African Universities, as well as a member of the International Board of Trustees of the African Institute for Mathematics and Science.

Dr Price said: "Observing his leadership at the University of Stellenbosch from a sister university across the river, Professor Botman's period in office has been marked by providing a vision, the Hope Project, around which students and staff could find common commitment to transformation, engagement with regional and national challenges, diversity and excellence. He was not afraid of controversy, and his success was endorsed through his being offered a second term as Vice-Chancellor."

Dr Price continued: "Professor Botman was a man of great integrity and humility, courage and patience. Under his leadership, Stellenbosch University has grown in stature locally and internationally. He has also left his mark on the national higher education landscape. On behalf of entire UCT community, I wish to express our deepest sympathies to his wife Beryl, his family and friends, and to the Stellenbosch University community."

Image courtesy of Foto24.co.za.