Television host and chef Mynie Steffens has tragically died at the age of 43 following a helicopter crash in South Africa, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans and colleagues.
On Monday, November 10, Steffens was piloting a helicopter that went down on a citrus farm near the town of Patensie in the Eastern Cape. Images shared on social media showed the aircraft in a grassy field, badly damaged with parts of its exterior missing. Authorities later confirmed that the helicopter had struck a power line before crashing.
According to a statement from the Accident and Incident Investigation Division, “Information that is at our disposal indicates that the pilot was conducting a pest control operation flight when the helicopter struck power lines and crashed. The helicopter itself was substantially damaged due to impact force.”
Steffens, beloved by South African audiences, was best known for presenting the cooking show Speel met Vuur — translated as Play With Fire — where her warmth, creativity, and fearless approach to cooking made her a household name. Following news of her death, tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and fans alike.
Her co-host, Aldi van der Walt, who had known Steffens since high school, described her as “a big heart, a gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.” Van der Walt said their reunion years later to create the VIA TV show was one of the great joys of her life. “Mynie lived life to the full,” she said. “She was always full of ideas that turned into successful endeavors, winning over people as she went along. She could make time for anyone from any walk of life — that was her priority.”
In a heartfelt Facebook post, VIA TV paid tribute to Steffens, writing: “Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the end. With Play With Fire, you showed us how to approach life with curiosity and bravery. Sleep softly.”
Beyond television, Steffens authored the 2021 cookbook Mynie Plays with Fire, a celebration of South African open-fire cooking. She was also an experienced pilot and often shared videos of her flights on social media, combining her love for adventure and the outdoors with her passion for food.
Her passing leaves a deep void in South Africa’s culinary and entertainment world. Friends and fans remember her as a woman who lived with courage, creativity, and kindness — a bright spirit who truly played with fire, both in her kitchen and in life.
