The world of South African television has been shaken to its core after the heartbreaking news that beloved TV chef Mynie Steffens, just 43 years old, tragically died in a helicopter crash on November 10, 2025. A woman known for her fire, her flavor, and her fearless passion for adventure… gone in an instant.
Mynie wasn’t just a chef.
She was energy. She was joy. She was the spark behind Speel met Vuur — the fiery cooking show that made millions fall in love with bold flavors, open flames, and her unforgettable personality. ✨🔥
On the day of the accident, she was flying over a citrus farm in the Eastern Cape during a routine operation — something she had done many times. Flying was one of her great loves. But when her helicopter struck a power line, everything changed. By the time emergency responders arrived, it was too late.
Her passing didn’t just silence a kitchen… it broke hearts.
Friends, fans, and colleagues have flooded social media with tributes. Her co-host and childhood friend Aldi Van Der Walt said it best:
“She was the glue that held people together… genuine, kind, and full of ideas.”
She wasn’t just a co-host — she was family.
VIA TV shared its own emotional tribute, thanking her for showing the world how to live with curiosity and bravery. Anyone who watched her cook — laughing, experimenting, setting flames dancing — knew exactly what they meant.
What many never knew about Mynie was her second great love: the sky.
She was a licensed helicopter pilot who often shared her flights online, the wind in her hair, the world stretched beneath her. It made sense — she lived her life boldly, always climbing higher, always searching for the next adventure.
Her cookbook, Mynie Plays with Fire, captured her spirit perfectly: fiery food, big flavors, and even bigger heart. Every recipe felt like an invitation to live louder, cook braver, and gather closer.
Today, South Africa isn’t just mourning a chef.
It’s mourning a storyteller.
A trailblazer.
A woman who turned flames into joy and fearlessness into art.
Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens.
Your fire will never go out. 🔥💛