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

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.”

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Other big industry names also weighed in.

Andy Walker, former editor
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