RIP Matthew Buckland

Matthew Buckland

One of the SA digital media's industry's best-known players, having taken home the 'best individual contribution to digital' award at the 2017 Bookmark Awards, Matthew Buckland has passed away from cancer at the age of 45.

A year ago, Buckland spoke of how the Burn Media was set to embark on aggressive growth after a deal to go solo.

Burn Media to embark on aggressive growth after deal to go solo - Buckland

Stephen Timm  7 Jun 2018

Matthew Buckland on reigniting Burn Media

Leigh Andrews  24 Apr 2018

Today, the South African digital industry has shared its sadness over Buckland’s passing on social media, so much so that the news is trending:

#ripmatthewbuckland is now trending in #Johannesburghttps://t.co/AjoR22EgP8 pic.twitter.com/mni2plzrQH

— Trendsmap Jo'burg (@TrendsJoBurg) April 23, 2019

Dubbed a 'digital news entrepreneur', Buckland was also head of the Mail & Guardian’s online division, founder of the collaborative news and opinion platform Thought Leader from 2000 to 2007, established a division at Naspers’ online publisher News24.com, and was also a consultant and investor at multinational media fund Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF).

#BehindtheSelfie with... Matthew Buckland

Leigh Andrews  10 May 2017

Our sincere condolences to Buckland’s wife Bridget; daughters Stella and Isabella; family and friends; and all who were inspired by his digital spark.

A memorial service for #MatthewBuckland will take place at Cape Point Vineyards at 10 o'clock on Tuesday, 30 April. It is an open service, and all are welcome. A date and venue for Johannesburg is still to be finalised.

— The Media Online (@MediaTMO) April 26, 2019