The culinary and aviation communities in South Africa are mourning the tragic loss of television chef Mynie Steffens, who died in a helicopter crash while performing agricultural work on Monday, November 10.
The Fatal Incident
Mynie Steffens, 43, was piloting a helicopter and spraying crops with pesticides above a citrus farm in the Eastern Cape around 8 a.m. when the accident occurred. According to reports from the George Herald, the experienced chef and pilot struck power lines during the operation, leading to the fatal crash.
The Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division confirmed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage due to the impact force. Photographs from the scene shared by South Africa's Exec Ops showed the crumpled remains of the aircraft scattered across a grassy area near the farm.
A Multifaceted Career Cut Short
Steffens was best known to South African audiences as the co-host of the popular cooking show Speel met Vuur, which translates from Afrikaans to playing with fire. She shared the screen with her high school friend Aldi van der Walt on the VIA channel.
Beyond television, Steffens was an accomplished author, having penned the cookbook Mynie Plays with Fire, published by Penguin Books South Africa in 2021. The book featured numerous recipes for braai, the traditional South African barbecue cooked over open flames.
Tributes and Legacy
Her co-host and longtime friend Aldi van der Walt shared heartfelt memories of Steffens, describing her as having a big heart, gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.
Van der Walt told reporters that Mynie lived life to the full and was always full of ideas that transformed into successful endeavors. She noted that Steffens had a remarkable ability to make time for people from every walk of life, considering this her priority.
VIA TV paid tribute to their late host on Facebook, writing: Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the end. With #PlayWithFire, you showed us all how to approach life with curiosity and bravery. Sleep softly.
Steffens frequently shared videos of her helicopter flights on social media, showcasing her passion for aviation alongside her culinary career. The accident investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the tragic crash.
