Mynie Steffens: Celebrity chef and TV presenter dies in helicopter crash
A television presenter and celebrity chef has died when the helicopter she was travelling in crashed while spraying crops on a farm.
Mynie Steffens, 43, died near Patensie in South Africa’s Eastern Cape on Monday morning, November 10, along with the helicopter pilot.
Police said the Robinson helicopter reportedly struck power lines before crashing onto Roodegrond Farm at around 7.45am.
Farm owner Ruan Scheepers said one of his workers had alerted him shortly after the crash, adding that it was a frightening ordeal. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities said no further details can be shared at this stage and expressed condolences to the victims' families.
Mynie was known for co-hosting a popular cooking and lifestyle programme on South African television, a project she launched after reconnecting with a childhood friend.
Her co-host, Aldi van der Walt, said she was struggling to come to terms with the “massive shock” and “tragic loss.”
She said: “She lived life to the full. 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. She had a big heart, gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.”
The pair met when playing hockey together at school before later reuniting as adults. Her friend said the idea for their cooking show was born during that reunion and became a reality soon after.
She said: “I remember on our road trip during filming, what made an impression was that she wouldn’t let schedule and time infringe too much when she deemed it important to show compassion and make someone feel valued.
“She had patience and kindness coupled with humour, and that made her irresistible to people. I will miss my friend. Her absence will be felt by many.”
According to her publisher, Mynie's love for cooking over fire began when she was just 10 years old.
Story: NewsX