{"id":2642,"date":"2019-04-24T02:18:14","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T00:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greenman.co.za\/blog\/?p=2642"},"modified":"2021-01-09T03:50:29","modified_gmt":"2021-01-09T01:50:29","slug":"farewell-matthew-buckland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenman.co.za\/blog\/?p=2642","title":{"rendered":"Farewell Matthew Buckland"},"content":{"rendered":"

It came as quite a shock to hear this afternoon that Matthew Buckland<\/a> had died.<\/p>\n

I first met Matthew at the Digital Citizens Indaba (DCI) in Grahamstown in September 2006, where I was speaking on the Web 2.0 panel. Matthew was editor of the Mail & Guardian Online<\/a> at the time. Mail & Guardian online was then the pick of the local online media, punching way above its weight, and much of this was due to Matthew’s leadership.<\/p>\n

I remember him passionate as we explored the possibilities of new media, and friendly and generous with his time.<\/p>\n

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\nMatthew Buckland at the DCI in September 2006. Picture by Gregor Rohrig.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Thinking back to when the DCI took place, it was a dynamic time, full of possibility and new creations. Muti had come out in January 2006. Written by Neville Newey, apparently I inspired him to write it and offered some ideas, but in reality I had little to do with it. I think such was the vacuum in those early days that this was why I was invited to DCI! The Rat and Parrot, and many great conversations. My first encounter with the famous Mushy Peas on Toast<\/a>. Blogging was revolutionary and everything was possible. In the weeks, months and years following the Digital Citizens Indaba, there was a burst of innovation. And Matthew was at the heart of much of it. <\/p>\n

Amatomu<\/a>, which Matthew co-founded, and Afrigator launched within days of each other. Thought Leader<\/a> launched in 2007. Memeburn<\/a> a few years later, and he was MC at the launch of Silicon Cape<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The word inspire can be defined as to fill others with animation, a quickening or exalting influence. Reading the outpouring of support since the announcement, it’s clear he touched many people’s lives, and left a legacy far more influential than he probably realised.<\/p>\n

Go well Matthew.<\/p>\n

Related posts<\/h3>\n