Energize is deeply saddened to announce the death of long-serving Technical Features Editor Mike Rycroft, following a period of declining health, on July 14. He was 79.
Trained as an electrical engineer, Mike brought decades of practical industry experience to his technical journalism. His ability to explain complex engineering subjects clearly while retaining the detail valued by specialists made him a respected and distinctive voice in Energize.
Born in the UK on April 28, 1947, Mike moved to South Africa with his parents and grew up in Natal. He completed a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Natal before moving to Pretoria and joining Telkom, where he was responsible for ensuring that telephone exchanges had adequate and reliable power supplies.
Retirement marked the beginning of a second career in technical journalism. Mike joined Energize in 2009 under its former publisher EE Publishers. He continued with the title after it was acquired by Now Media in 2019.
Over the years, Mike wrote extensively about electrical engineering, energy and power systems, drawing on his formal training and operational experience. His work was characterised by curiosity, technical rigour and an enduring interest in how things worked.
Mike provided invaluable support following the death of former Energize Editor Roger Lilley in early 2024.
“When I stepped into the role of editor, I was very much a newcomer to the title and the industry. Mike was a constant and unwavering source of support, always generous with his time and willing to share his deep technical knowledge with the team,” says Now Media Editorial Director Natasha Schmidt.
“We will miss his passionate but practical views on electricity, including his scepticism about the role of certain technologies in baseload generation, his questioning of harmonics as the explanation for power quality problems and his irritation when publications confused MW with MWp – always delivered with a wonderful sense of humour. We will miss him dearly.”
Mike’s enthusiasm will also be missed, says Now Media MD Anton Marsh. “Mike always enjoyed taking part in office functions and was very much part of the Now Media family.”
Beyond engineering and journalism, Mike was an avid photographer and fisherman, a keen gardener and a talented musician who enjoyed playing the guitar.
His Christian faith was also an important part of his life. During the 1990s, while living in Faerie Glen, he was actively involved with Glen Methodist Church where he worked with the youth Sunday school, played in the church band and contributed to pastoral activities.
Mike is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and children from his first marriage, Andrew and Karen, and his grandchildren Samuel and Jennifer.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Methodist Church in Linden on Thursday, July 23, from 14h30. A celebration of Mike’s life will follow. Anyone wishing to attend should RSVP to Greg at 083 332 0724 or gregory.lee@wits.ac.za.
