The Citizen columnist Cliff Buchler dies aged 84

Cliff Buchler, one of the most popular columnists of The Citizen, passed away on Saturday afternoon at his apartment in a retirement Village in Cape Town from heart failure. He was 84.

“Cliff had an unique ability to express his feelings and those of his readers through his writing about political and other issues. He could fantasise, mostly in a humorous way, about what his country needed and how to achieve it,” said long-time friend Theo Eybers.

“He even wanted to become minister of electricity at the time saying he had experience in coal transport – in his dreams, that was.” Cliff was one of the first editors in the pioneering days of Caxton community newspapers.

Mentor

In 1978 he established Roodepoort Record (among others since) and remained managing editor for more than 30 years. Eybers noted Cliff Buchler had lectured to aspirant journalists at the Caxton Cadete School in Johannesburg, and spent time at various newspaper branches mentoring with subbing and other editorial functions.

“Cliff was always a hundred per cent dedicated to the message he wanted to bring across. He did not play around with words and was straight and completely honest in his attitude towards the politicians who he differed from,” Eybers said.

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“Go well my friend, the newspaper world and many other will miss you dearly.” He leaves his wife Heidi, son Kevin and his daughter, Cathrine behind. Buchler, who left his mark in all the communities where he lived, was also a regular contributor of articles and letters to all major publications.

Columns

The Citizen Editor Trevor Stevens said Cliff “was a firm favourite of mine and the readers on a Wednesday”.

“I looked forward to his column submission each week. It would always arrive Thursday or Friday at the latest – many days before his deadline (a rare trait for a journalist),” said Stevens. “He would always have a lovely one-liner accompanying the mail. Hope you indulge an oldie… hope you scoop your competitors… loved your paper today.”

Stevens said Cliff was one of a kind. “A genuine guy. A good journalist and an honest columnist. I loved his daily travails with Heidi… or couldn’t wait to hear what mischief he got up to in the queue at the doctors.

His humour each Wednesday was already missed,” Stevens said. “His thoughtful mails will be missed. Cliff will be sorely missed, but not forgotten. Our deepest condolences to Heidi and his family.” Rest easy Cliff.

You were one of the good guys.