20 November 2007

We were saddened to hear of the passing away of Prof. Elize Botha on Friday 16th November. She was a well known academic and Chancellor of the University of Stellenbosch, the first woman to hold this prestigious position since the institution’s 80 years of existance.

From her student days Prof. Elize Botha obtained her degrees and doctorate cum laude and with honourable mention, she continued to achieve many firsts to her name. She was the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Suid – Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns and was the chairperson of Akademie’s Literature Commission. She was also the first woman to be appointed to the Board of Nasionale Pers and served on the Board of of the Nasionale Boekhandel. Her primary academic interests were Afrikaans prose and prose theory. She was attached to the Departments of Afrikaans and Dutch of the University of Pretoria, Wits and Unisa. Prof Botha served as a chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Stigting vir Afrikaans.

She traveled extensively abroad and was often invited to lecture amongst many countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia and USA. In 1993 she chaired the Commission on National Symbols. She served on the Multiparty Negotiations Forum to decide on the new South African flag and anthem. She also served on the national committee for former Pres. Mandel’s investiture in 1994.  She served on the National Arts Council and chaired the State Library Board.

She received many awards, honours and medals during her long distinguished career.  They included the Gustav Preller medal for Literary Theory and Literary Criticism from SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns in 1982; the Order for Excellent Service in 1989; the Unisa Council’s Award for Exceptional Academic Merit in 1989; the NP van Wyk Louw medal from the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns in 1995; Honourary Doctorates from Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch in 1995; an Honourary Award for excellent service from the Unisa Council in 1996 and in 1995 she was a co-recipient of the Johan Fleerackers Prize with Prof. Jakes Gerwel from the Flemish Ministry of Culture.  

Prof. Elize Botha loved her work deeply and read voraciously accumulating a vast knowledge of literature, she was also extremely modest. She served many NGOs such as children’s homes, disabled institutions, church groups and hospices. She was a people’s person.

We convey our deepest condolences to her husband, Prof. Johan Botha, her children, grand-children, family, to all at the University of Stellenbosch including friends far and wide.  You can justifiable be proud of the mark she has made in the many positions she held.

For enquiries please contact Sandile Memela, Spokesperson of the Minister, at 082 800 3750 or Premi Appalraju, Media Liaison Officer, 082 903 6778

back to top