Qualifications
BA (1978); BTh (1979); Licenciate in Theology (1981); MTh (cum laude)(1984); DTh (1994), all at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

Background
Hayman Russel Botman was born in Bloemfontein on 18 October 1953 to Revd Karel and Ms Mavis Botman. After matriculating from Kliptown High School in Johannesburg he pursued his tertiary education at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) as required by Apartheid-legislation. He obtained all his qualifications at UWC: B A in 1978, B Th in 1979, the Licentiate (Theology) in 1981, M Th (cum laude) in 1984 and the Doctorate in Theology in 1994.
He was employed as minister of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in Wynberg from 1982 to 1993. In 1994 he was appointed at the University of the Western Cape as senior lecturer in Practical Theology. He served the University of the Western Cape as chairperson of the Department of Christianity and Society as well as dean of the Faculty of Religion and Theology. The academic body at the University of the Western Cape nominated him for the new position as transformation officer of the university in the office of the rector. He was promoted ad hominem to associate professor of Christianity and Society by the University of the Western Cape in 1999.
On 1 January 2000 he was appointed professor of Missiology at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Theology. He served as chairperson for the Missiology Department, dean alternate of the Faculty of Theology and as principal of the Theological School of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa and Stellenbosch University. In July 2002 he was elected as vice-rector (teaching) at the University of Stellenbosch and as rector in 2007.
His research interest focuses on public theology, ecumenism and economic globalisation. He received the award as resident scholar of the Centre of Theological Inquiry in Princeton in the United States of America in 1997 and that of Campbell Scholar of Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta in the United States of America in 2000. He also served as a research consultant of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches for the period 2001 - 2004.
Prof Botman is a member of a number of national and international academic bodies. He served as chairperson and remains a member of the Theological Society of South Africa. He is also a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Theology for Southern Africa and the Journal for Practical Theology in South Africa. His teaching and research are informed by his involvement in the context of Southern Africa. He served as moderator of the Southern Africa Alliance of Reformed Churches from 1990 tot 1998.
He was a nominee for the Tutu Leadership Awards of the Desmond Tutu Educational Trust in 2001. He founded the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at Stellenbosch University in March 2002 and he continues to serve the centre as chief advisor.
In August 2001 he was elected as senior vice-president of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) for a term of three years. In August 2003 he was appointed as president of the South African Council of Churches and he was re-elected to this position in August 2004.
He was appointed as director of NB Publishers (Pty) Ltd in March 2004 and as director of Media 24 in April 2005.