South African TV Host and Chef Mynie Steffens Dies in Helicopter Crash at 43
Television host and chef Mynie Steffens has tragically died at age 43 following a helicopter crash in South Africa, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues.
On November 10, Steffens was piloting a helicopter that went down on a citrus farm near Patensie in the Eastern Cape. Photos shared online showed the wreckage scattered across a grassy field. Authorities later confirmed that the aircraft struck power lines before crashing.
According to the Accident and Incident Investigation Division, “The pilot was conducting a pest control operation flight when the helicopter struck power lines and crashed. The helicopter was substantially damaged due to impact force.”
Beloved across South Africa, Steffens was best known for hosting the cooking show Speel met Vuur (Play With Fire), where her warmth, creativity, and fearless spirit made her a household name.
Her longtime friend and co-host Aldi van der Walt remembered her as “a big heart, a gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.” She added, “Mynie lived life to the full — always full of ideas that turned into success and friendships.”
In a heartfelt post, VIA TV wrote: “Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the end. With Play With Fire, you taught us to face life with curiosity and bravery.”
Beyond television, Steffens authored the 2021 cookbook Mynie Plays with Fire and was an avid pilot. Her passing leaves a void in South Africa’s culinary and entertainment world — a fearless woman remembered for living, creating, and loving boldly.
