Ronnie van Wijk, one of the founding members of M-Net, passed away on Saturday after a short illness.
"The M-Net group is deeply saddened to hear about the death of Ronnie van Wijk, one of the South African broadcast media industry stalwarts since 1976," says Kershnee Govender, M-Net's corporate affairs director in a statement.
"As one of the founding members of M-Net in 1986, his innovative spirit, broadcasting knowledge and leadership skills, helped shape and change television in South Africa forever, and pushed the group to become one of the leading broadcasters in Sub-Saharan Africa."
"His role in the birth of M-Net and his contributions to the sustenance and growth to the industry are immeasurable," says Kershnee Govender.
"There are few people in this world that have had as much of an impact on the industry as Ronnie. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live forever. Our sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers go to the Van Wijk family."
