Professor Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, was hailed as an inspiration following news of his death.
The university said in a statement that Botman died in his sleep at his home in Stellenbosch yesterday.
The University of the Witwatersrand praised Botman for his contribution to education and South African society.
“Professor Botman has been an influential and inspiring figure in the higher education landscape, leading one of our top universities through important periods of growth and transition,” it said in a statement.
