by MarkLives (@marklives)

A graduate of Rhodes University, in the late 1990s he served as a web developer and producer at the BBC in London, and also enjoyed a stint at iafrica.com. He was head of the Mail & Guardian’s online division before he joined News24. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Tributes

The team at MarkLives wishes to extend our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Matthew Buckland, one of the early South African journalists to embrace the world of digital news and media. There is little doubt he was a pioneer in the field of digital media and that he played an important role in the understanding and development of digital news in South Africa. We will miss his brilliant smile and mischievous sense of humour.

— Herman & Simone.

Via Twitter

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

VML sends our love and condolences to the family and friends of Matthew Buckland. Matt was a huge presence in the digital industry in South Africa. More importantly he was a wonderful, generous and kind human who will be sorely missed.

— VML South Africa (@VMLSouthAfrica) April 23, 2019

Absolutely gutted to hear about Matthew Buckland. Worked with him only once on the Geek Fashion Show but what a wonderful experience – inspirational human being. #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/ytgkqRx6n3

— Marianna Boguslavsky (@Marianna_B) April 23, 2019

Matthew Buckland was a Digital Pioneer, Father, Husband, Mentor, & Businessman. We celebrate his life, his role in Endeavor as a Mentor, and the legacy he left. We are honoured to have had the opportunity for more than 5 years, to work alongside Matthew. #RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/LsoeWZIjIC

— Endeavor SouthAfrica (@EndeavorSA) April 23, 2019

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

Dear @matthewbuckland

My heart is hurting! You'll be sorely missed by all. It was an honour to work with you & learn from you. One of the best MD's I've worked for in my career.

I'll leave you with the last words you said to me; "You were one of the greats!"#RIPMatthewBuckland pic.twitter.com/MQOKfgZs7T

— TheOneK (@1karlien) April 23, 2019

What a devastating loss. Matthew undoubtedly left an indelible mark in the digital and media industry which we will treasure for years to come. May his family and friends be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding them #RIPMatthewBuckland https://t.co/rTGGm4noi0

— Vuma Reputation (@VumaReputation) April 23, 2019

Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of @matthewbuckland. Always a top, top guy and did a lot for the South African media/tech space. Thoughts with his family

— Tom Jackson (@tomjackson1988) April 23, 2019

The worst news. So sorry to hear and deepest condolences to his family. @matthewbuckland was an inspiration to me as I started my digital career. One of the SA digital pioneers who built some beautiful media businesses. #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Scott Peter Smith (@S_P_S) April 23, 2019

Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of @matthewbuckland Matt was a true gentleman in an era of bulls in china shops. Articulate, knowledgeable and passionate about our industry and South Africa. Rest In Peace Matt

— Andrew Brand (@99cbrand) April 23, 2019

Shocked to hear about the passing of one of the pioneers of digital media platforms in SA @matthewbuckland . Still can't believe the news, had a chat with him 3 weeks ago introducing our Lesotho online publication. @TheReporterLS

— Thabo Ntai (@ThaboNtai) April 23, 2019

I'm deeply saddened to hear that @matthewbuckland has passed away, Matt was one person I truly admired in the Tech Media space, I'm gutted. I first met Matt when he was working on creating Memeburn, a gentle soul and great thinker – #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Wesley Diphoko (@wesleydiphoko) April 23, 2019

Last week I read the yet unpublished book by @matthewbuckland who had asked me for a review and in the final pages I read about his illness. Today I’m even more shocked to hear that he has passed on. RIP

— Michael Jordaan (@MichaelJordaan) April 23, 2019

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

Thank you @matthewbuckland for all the friendship, kindness and advice you showed since we met when I first moved to Cape Town many years ago. Thank you for the laughs, the many whiskeys and for being a jolly marvellous true gent. You will be so missed mate x

— Chris Rawlinson (@ChrisRawlinson) April 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/angelaquintal/status/1120636023552270338

Shocked and saddened to learn about the passing on of a South African friend and colleague @matthewbuckland . Matthew introduced me to the internet. A business savvy and passionate human being. Go well Matt. You have done your bit. Looking forward to reading your book.

— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) April 23, 2019

It is with great sadness that I say good-bye to @matthewbuckland, business partner and friend. Founder of Burn Media Group with among others @memeburn, @Ventureburn, Matt remained involved up to the end including the launch of new site designs, of which he was immensely proud 1/2

— CobusHeyl (@CobusHeyl) April 23, 2019

We are saddened to hear of the passing of South African digital pioneer @matthewbuckland. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Mark1 Media (@mark1) April 23, 2019

Am shattered to hear of the passing of @matthewbuckland. From arguments over Blogmark (a place that literally changed my life) & many, many conversations about digital disruption, he was a keen mind in the midst of all the early hype. I loved his dry humour. He will be missed.

— KateWolters (@KateWolters) April 23, 2019

We were meant to meet up to talk about his new ventures before I left Cape Town. Other people called him a digital rock star, but as a star, he burned brightly. My condolences to Bridget and his daughters.

— Jude Mathurine (@newmediajude) April 23, 2019

Sad to hear that @MatthewBuckland has passed away. Condolences to his family and all who loved him.

— Lynne O'Connor (@LynneOConnorSA) April 23, 2019

For those of you around here from the days of Amatomu, Afrigator, Muti, 27Dinners and the likes, will definitely know and remember @matthewbuckland really well (outside of his success with Creative Spark / Burn Media etc). He passed away today from cancer.

— Jason (@JBagley) April 23, 2019

Really sad to hear that @matthewbuckland has passed away. #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Bilal Randeree (@bilalr) April 23, 2019

Just heard about the passing @matthewbuckland I had the honor of working with him through MDIF this past year and he was an amazing person. I have words to describe the loss the world just experienced with his passing. #RIPMatthewBuckland

— Siyabonga Africa (@siyafrica) April 23, 2019

Terrible, terrible news that @matthewbuckland lost the fight to cancer. He has been someone I've admired for over a decade in the online entrepreneur space and made a huge impact to South African digital landscapes over the years. RIP Matthew.

— Sheena Kretzmer (@SheBeeGee) April 23, 2019

Saddened to hear of the passing of @matthewbuckland, @mailandguardian veteran and a pioneer in digital news media in South Africa. We will long benefit from his contributions to the industry. Rest in peace, Matt.

— Khadija Patel (@khadijapatel) April 23, 2019

Via Facebook

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