Russel Botman was born on 18 October 1953 in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (now Free State Province). His mother had supported his family by working as a typist for the “coloured” Nederduitse Gereformeerde Sending-Kerk (Church) in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (now Free State Province) while his father completed his studies in theology at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Thamm M. (2014). Russel Botman: visionary, leader and fighter on sacred ground from Daily Maverick, 1 July. Available at www.dailymaverick.co.za . Accessed on 2 July 2014.|SAPA. (2014). Varsity pays tribute to Botman from News24, 28 June. Available at www.news24.com online. Accessed on 2 July 2014. |SAPA. (2014). Botman a leading light, says Zuma from News24, 29 June. Available at www.news24.com online. Accessed on 2 July 2014. |SAPA. (2014). Tributes pour in for Botman from News24, 28 June. Available at www.news24.com online. Accessed on 2 July 2014|2014-06-28 SAPA. (2014). Varsity pays tribute to Botman from News24, 28 June. Available at www.news24.com online. Accessed on 2 July 2014.