South African TV Host and Chef Mynie Steffens Dies in Helicopter Crash
PATENSIE, SOUTH AFRICA - Mynie Steffens, a beloved South African television presenter and cookbook author, died Monday, November 10, in a helicopter crash while conducting crop-dusting operations on a farm in Patensie, authorities have confirmed. she was 43 years old.
Steffens was a certified pilot and was fumigating crops at the time of the accident. Authorities believe the helicopter collided with high-tension cables, resulting in a ample impact and loss of control. The incident was reported at 8:00 am local time, prompting a response from emergency services.
Steffens was widely known as the host of the popular South African program “Speel met Vuur” (“Play with Fire”), enjoying a decade-long career on television. Beyond her on-screen presence, she authored a cookbook of the same name, focusing on vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Colleague Aldi Van der Walt remembered Steffens as a vibrant and dedicated professional. “She had a big heart, a gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.She lived life to the fullest, always full of ideas that she transformed into successes,” Van der Walt said.
The helicopter suffered important damage in the crash, according to authorities, who are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.