Television host and chef Mynie Steffens, 43, has tragically died in a helicopter crash in South Africa, sparking grief across the country.

Authorities confirmed that on November 10, Steffens was piloting a helicopter that “struck power lines and crashed” while conducting a pest control flight near Patensie in the Eastern Cape. The aircraft was “substantially damaged due to impact force,” officials said.

Steffens was best known for hosting Speel met Vuur (Play With Fire), where her “warmth, creativity, and fearless approach to cooking” made her a household name. Her co-host Aldi van der Walt remembered her as “a big heart, a gentle soul, the glue that kept people together,” adding that “Mynie lived life to the full” and made time for everyone.

In a touching tribute, VIA TV wrote on Facebook: “Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the end… Sleep softly.”

Beyond television, Steffens wrote the cookbook Mynie Plays with Fire and was also an experienced pilot. Her passing leaves “a deep void in South Africa’s culinary and entertainment world,” with fans remembering her courage, kindness, and adventurous spirit.