Mynie Steffens, a renowned television chef, author, and pilot, tragically lost her life in a helicopter crash on a farm in South Africa on Monday. The 43-year-old was operating a helicopter, spraying pesticides over a citrus farm in the Eastern Cape region around 8 a.m. when she collided with power lines and crashed, according to local reports.
The helicopter was significantly damaged due to the force of the impact, as reported by the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division. Images shared by South Africa’s Exec Ops showed the wreckage of the helicopter scattered in a grassy area near the farm. The authority expressed their condolences, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”
Steffens was a co-host of a popular cooking show, “Speel met Vuur,” which translates to “playing with fire,” on the VIA channel. She shared the screen with her high school friend, Aldi van der Walt. The show was well-received and had a significant following.
In addition to her television work, Steffens was also an accomplished author. She wrote the cookbook “Mynie Plays with Fire,” which was published by Penguin Books South Africa in 2021. The book is filled with recipes for “braai,” a traditional South African barbecue cooked over an open flame.
Steffens was known for her adventurous spirit, frequently sharing videos of her helicopter flights on social media. Her co-host, Van Der Walt, remembered her fondly, describing Steffens as having a “big heart, gentle soul,” and being “the glue that kept people together.” Van Der Walt added, “Mynie lived life to the full. She was always full of ideas that had transformed into successful endeavors.”
VIA TV also paid tribute to the late host on Facebook on Monday. The translated statement read, “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.”