Mentor, friend, visionary: Tributes pour in for the late Matthew Buckland

After yesterday’s news of our founder Matthew Buckland’s passing, Twitter was inundated by tributes from media professionals across South Africa.

#RIPMatthewBuckland trended across South Africa, as the media giant’s friends, admirers and followers posted their memories of Matt and words of comfort to those affected.

AP du Plessis, former Memeburn editor, wrote that “Africa’s media is poorer without you.”

When I was down on my luck he believed in me to run his brainchild. Working for Matt taught me a great deal about managing people and expectations. My heart goes out to Bridget, the kids and the Creative Spark family. Africa's media is poorer without you. #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/Vud6eOdH7w

— AP du Plessis (@ap1pel) April 23, 2019

Fellow media heavyweight Arthur Goldstuck mourned the loss of one of the “originals” of South Africa’s digital industry.

Devastated to hear @matthewbuckland has passed away. He was one of the originals, helping shape digital in SA. See his tweets – they encapsulate his passions. (He was there when I signed up to Twitter at the Rat & Parrot 12 years ago – still a vivid memory) #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/rfsU7ifHQO

— Arthur Goldstuck (@art2gee) April 23, 2019

Melissa Chetty, one of the Creative Spark originals, called working for Matt an “honour”.

I met @matthewbuckland on Jul 29, 2010 at a dingy little office on 35 Hope Street at the beginning of Creative Spark. It was the craziest 6 years of my life! An absolute honour to call him a close friend and mentor. Rest well Matt. ❤️ #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/3kjXXCKjjh

— Merlot Girl (@MerlotGirl) April 23, 2019

Former Memeburn and Ventureburn editor Mich Atagana remembered Matt’s fondness of talking all things start-up.

“Who will I discuss IPOs and startups valuations with now? No more calls to ask me to come back to Memeburn and jokes of how its all grown up now,” she tweeted.

oh @matthewbuckland. Who will I discuss IPOs and startups valuations with now? No more calls to ask me to come back to @memeburn and jokes of how its all grown up now. I will miss you terribly my friend. Rest now. 💔 #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/hhrymkb8hT

— Mich Atagana (@MichAtagana) April 23, 2019

Start-up industry heavyweight Keet van Zyl called Matt’s passing “tragic”.

Tragic news @matthewbuckland passing. Will leave a gap the African entrepreneurial ecosystem as successful Digital Media entrepreneur, Angel Investor & Startup advocate. One of our @KnifeCap #Section12J @KNF_VC Investors. Condolences to all close to him. #RIPMatthewBuckland https://t.co/0VyZC4VeYB

— Keet van Zyl (@KeetvZ) April 23, 2019

Hendri Lategan dubbed Matt his “mentor and my friend”.

“I’m better for having known him and will always be grateful for it. You will be greatly missed, Matt,” he added.

Matt was my mentor and my friend. He taught me some of my most closely held principles in work and in life which has had a profound impact on who I am today. I'm better for having known him and will always be grateful for it. You will be greatly missed, Matt. #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/Ke9grFTfWi

— Hendri Lategan (@00Hendri) April 23, 2019

Cat Murray called Matt a “treasured friend and mentor”.

The world makes no sense without you in it @matthewbuckland. You were a treasured friend and mentor, and I am going to miss you terribly. You and your beautiful family don't deserve this. Much love ❤️ #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/Ev4zwaAujV

— Cat Murray (@cat_murray) April 23, 2019

Former Memeburn editor Stuart Thomas celebrated Matt’s confidence in his editorial staff.

And he gave me and the rest of the Burn Media team more freedom to unleash ourselves editorially than, I think, any other publisher in the country. For those things, I'll always be grateful. #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Stuart Thomas (@Stu_Thom4s) April 23, 2019

Other big industry names also weighed in.

Our industry mourns the loss of digital entrepreneur and pioneer Matthew Buckland, we share our deepest condolences to his family and all those who knew him #RIPMatthewBuckland https://t.co/nLhgUQUgvE

— IAB South Africa (@iab_sa) April 23, 2019

#RIPMatthewBuckland you were an inspiring and visionary part of our team. Our hearts are heavy.

— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) April 23, 2019

Devastating news that @matthewbuckland has passed away from cancer. A prime mover in South Africa's digital media sector, a man who taught so many so much. Not least us @MediaTMO, giving @glendaN her first lessons in content management. #RIPMatthewBuckland. Please DM tributes.

— The Media Online (@MediaTMO) April 23, 2019

Matthew Buckland taught me to tweet and to blog on the brilliant ThoughtLeader platform. And he taught me, gently, that we could not kill the Internet when I was a nervous print editor faced with the Great Disruption. What a life! #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) April 23, 2019

I am completely and utterly devastated. 💔 #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Hilton Tarrant (@hiltontarrant) April 23, 2019

This is unbelievable. One of the pioneers of digital media in SA, especially news media. He was always ahead of the game with digital, from IOL to M&G to 24com and then to his own Creative Spark. One of the most rational people about the promise of digital media. Sad, sad news. https://t.co/hPoVn3rpdF

— Chris Roper (@ChrisRoper) April 23, 2019

What a loss. A part of that small gang of us blogging back in the early 2000’s and someone who could think, speak and build things. #ripmatthewbuckland https://t.co/8VqhuJWE86

— Erik Hersman (@whiteafrican) April 23, 2019