A beloved South African celebrity chef and television personality has died following a helicopter crash that occurred on Monday morning, November 10, 2025, on a citrus farm in the Eastern Cape region of the country.
Mynie Steffens, 43, was killed when her helicopter struck power lines and crashed at Roodegrond Farm near Patensie. The crash occurred around 8 a.m. local time while the helicopter was spraying crops or pesticides on the citrus farm.
Farm workers at Roodegrond Farm alerted the property owner, Ruan Scheepers, to the crash, according to sources. The helicopter was substantially damaged on impact, authorities confirmed.
The Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division has launched an investigation into the incident. Officials stated no further details can be shared at this time but extended condolences to the victims’ families.
Steffens rose to prominence as the co-host of “Speel met Vuur,” a popular cooking and lifestyle program that aired on the VIA TV channel in South Africa. The show, which translates to “Playing with Fire” in English, focused on cooking over open flames, a traditional South African method known as braai.
The television chef launched the show after reconnecting with a childhood friend from high school. She and her co-host, Aldi van der Walt, had played hockey together as students before reuniting as adults. During that reunion, the pair conceived the idea for their cooking show, which soon became a reality.
In addition to her television work, Steffens authored a cookbook bearing the same name as her show. The book was published in 2021 and featured open flame recipes, reflecting her passion for this cooking style.
Van der Walt has spoken publicly about the loss of her friend and colleague, calling Steffens’ death a “massive shock” and describing it as a profound loss. She shared memories of their time working together and paid tribute to Steffens’ character and approach to life.
“She lived life to the full,” van der Walt said. “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 continued to reflect on her co-host’s personality and values, sharing insights about what made Steffens memorable to those who knew her. She described how Steffens prioritized making time for people and showing them compassion, regardless of scheduling pressures during their work together.
Van der Walt characterized her late friend as someone with particular qualities that drew people to her, noting that she could make time for people from all walks of life and that this was her priority. Van der Walt said she would miss her friend and that Steffens’ absence would be felt by many people.
VIA TV, the network that aired “Speel met Vuur,” also shared a tribute to the late chef. The network acknowledged Steffens’ adventurous spirit and praised how she demonstrated approaching life with curiosity and bravery through her television program.
The investigation into the crash continues as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the helicopter striking the power lines. The incident occurred in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, a region known for its agricultural production, including citrus farming.
Steffens’ death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues in South Africa’s culinary and entertainment communities. Her work on “Speel met Vuur” had made her a recognizable figure in South African households, where her enthusiasm for traditional cooking methods and lifestyle programming resonated with viewers.
The circumstances surrounding the crash highlight the risks associated with agricultural aviation work, which often involves flying at low altitudes near obstacles such as power lines. Crop spraying operations require pilots to fly close to fields, creating challenging conditions that demand constant vigilance.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities will examine all factors that may have contributed to the accident, including weather conditions, equipment function, and operational procedures at the time of the crash.