South African Chef Mynie Steffens Dies in Helicopter Crash
Beloved South African chef and television personality Mynie Steffens was killed today in a helicopter crash on a citrus farm in the Eastern Cape province.
The 43-year-old Steffens, a licensed pilot, was piloting the helicopter while conducting a pest control operation – spraying pesticides over orange crops near Patensie – shortly before 8 a.m. local time when the aircraft struck power lines and crashed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage from the impact, according to the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID). This incident highlights the risks associated with agricultural aviation, a vital component of South Africa’s farming industry.
Aldi Van der Walt, Steffens’ longtime friend and co-host on the VIA TV lifestyle cooking series Speel met Vuur, described the news as a “massive shock” and a “tragic loss.” “She was always full of ideas that had transformed into successful endeavours, and then executing that with success, winning over people as she went along,” Van der Walt told IOL. Steffens and Van der Walt created Speel met Vuur after reconnecting 16 years after high school, traveling across South Africa to showcase creative interpretations of traditional dishes. You can learn more about South African cuisine here.
VIA TV shared a heartfelt tribute on its Facebook page, stating, “Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the end. With #SpeelMetVuur you showed us all how to approach life with curiosity and bravery. Sleep well.” Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash, and the South African Police Service has not yet released a statement. The AIID is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident.
