Pilot, author, and DStv cooking show host Mynie Steffens died on Monday morning in a helicopter crash while spraying crops on a farm near Patensie in the Eastern Cape.
Steffens co-hosted the popular cooking and lifestyle programme Speel met Vuur on DStv’s VIA channel, a dream she turned into reality after reconnecting with childhood friend Aldi van der Walt 16 years after last seeing each other.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said the freak accident occurred just before 8am and that an inquest had been opened.
Speaking to a few hours after the incident, Van der Walt said she was still coming to terms with the “massive shock” and “tragic loss”.
“Mynie lived life to the full,” she 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.
“She could make time for people from every walk of life, and that was her priority.
“She had a big heart, gentle soul, the glue that kept people together.”
Van der Walt said they played hockey together when she was in matric at Nico Malan High in Humansdorp.
“Sixteen years later, we bumped into each other at an event and she shared with me her dream to do a cooking show for television,” she said.
“A year or two later, that dream was realised.
“I remember on our road trip during filming of Speel met Vuur, 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.
“From a production point of view, nothing was ever too big a job or effort to make something happen.
“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.”
Steffens’s sister, Lanie, did not immediately want to comment.
According to her publisher, Penguin Random House, Steffens’s love for cooking over fire began when she was just 10 years old.
Kouga mayor Hattingh Bornman said he was deeply saddened by the death of his friend.
“It’s terrible,” he said.
Farm owner Ruan Scheepers said one of his workers alerted him shortly after the crash.
“He called me to say the crash had occurred,” Scheepers said.
Scheepers said it was a frightening ordeal and extended his condolences to the family.
Private security company Exec Ops, who also responded to the scene, said: “Due to the sensitive nature of the incident and ongoing investigations, no further details can be shared at this stage.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”
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