It happened early in the morning. The sky over the orange orchards of the Eastern Cape was clear, the air filled with the scent of citrus. Locals had no idea that within minutes, this calm morning would turn into a day the entire country would talk about.
At first, there was a dull rumble. Then — a sharp, crackling sound. Witnesses say they saw a small helicopter suddenly lose altitude, clip power lines — and everything ended in an instant. Smoke. Debris. Silence. No one could believe that she was inside.
A woman known by every household, loved by viewers, whose recipes went viral and whose smile became a symbol of joy. She could cook, laugh, sing, and tell stories that touched the heart — all at once. Her energy was endless — even the sky wasn’t beyond her reach.
But it was the sky that took her in the end.
🌿 On Monday morning, while spraying pesticides over orange groves near the town of Patensie, beloved South African chef and TV host Mynie Steffens, aged 43, tragically lost her life.
She was piloting the helicopter herself when it struck electrical cables and went down on the farm below.
According to the Accident and Incident Investigation Division, “The pilot was conducting pest control operations when the helicopter made contact with power lines and sustained substantial damage.”
📸 At the crash site, only the shattered fuselage remained — a silent reminder that even the brightest lives can end in a moment.
Mynie wasn’t just a chef. She was the author of the popular cookbook Speel met Vuur and the co-host of the hit TV show of the same name, which she created with her longtime friend Aldi Van der Walt. Together, they traveled across South Africa, reimagining traditional dishes and sharing their love for food — and life.
Her close friend said after the tragedy:
“She lived life to the fullest. Every day with her was a celebration. Even her last — in the sky — was exactly that.”
🕊 Her smile will live on in the hearts of millions.
