Hayman Russel Botman works in South Africa in the University of Stellenbosch, as professor of missiology and dean alternate at the Faculty of Theology, and principal of the Theological School of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa and Stellenbosch University.

He was born in Bloemfontein, matriculated from Kliptown High School in Johannesburg, and pursued his tertiary education at the University of the Western Cape, from which he holds five degrees.

He served as minister of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in Wynberg, 1982-3, and as deputy moderator of the DRMC from 1990 until the founding synod of the Uniting Reformed Church in 1994. He was appointed as senior lecturer in practical theology at the University of the Western Cape in 1994 and was promoted to associate professor of Christianity and society in 1999.

His research interest focuses on public theology, church unity, ecumenics and economic globalization. He has a long history of involvement in the ecumenical movement. He has served as moderator of the Southern Africa Alliance of Reformed Churches, 1990-8, and as Reformed co-chair of the international Reformed-Roman Catholic dialogue since 1998.

His teaching and research are informed by his involvement in the context of Southern Africa. In 1996, he co-edited a book on reconciliation, confession and forgiveness called "To remember and to heal". He currently chairs the Theological Society of South Africa, and was recently elected senior vice-president of the South African Council of Churches.