The family, friends, and educators of 19-year-old aspiring chef Alexis-Jayde van Wyk have been left devastated after the first-year culinary student was killed in a head-on collision in KwaZulu-Natal just hours after presenting her practical examination.
Alexis, a student at the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine in Hilton, died on Saturday night in a crash on Dennis Shepstone Drive—also known as Sweetwaters Road—near Pietermaritzburg.
In the wake of the tragedy, her grieving mother, Celeste van Wyk, shared an emotional tribute to her daughter, describing the loss as the darkest period of her life while vowing to see justice done.
“Mommy loves you, my baby girl. This is going to be the hardest journey yet,” Celeste said.
While acknowledging that nothing will bring her daughter back, she added that “justice will be served.”
“It is the deepest, darkest moment of my life. My baby, Mom loves you to the moon and back,” she said.
Following the teenager's death, an outpouring of community support has seen a BackaBuddy fundraising campaign launched for Alexis and her family—including Mark, Celeste, and her brothers—surpass R110,000.
‘POO BEAR’ high-tea exam becomes a final memory
The tragedy has hit the culinary school community particularly hard, as Alexis had spent earlier that Saturday presenting her high-tea practical examination.
She had named the assessment “POO BEAR” in honour of her favourite childhood character—a nod to the playful, childlike spirit that educators said made her a breath of fresh air in the kitchen. Even small details of her time on campus, such as her frequent use of the phrase “6–7”, which turned into a running inside joke among staff and students, have now become treasured memories for her classmates.
In an official tribute, the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine remembered the 19-year-old for her infectious humour, vibrant energy, and natural talent in the kitchen.
“Some news leaves you completely shattered, and this is one of those moments,” the school stated.
According to the institution, Alexis formed a close bond with her peers from the outset, bringing laughter into the room while displaying the exact resilience and adaptable attitude required in the demanding culinary industry.
“I was so excited about her future in food. She had so much ahead of her, so much potential, and so much to give,” the tribute read.
‘So much life, so much promise’
Friends and guests who interacted with Alexis during her time at the school also shared their shock at her sudden death.
Tracy Freese, who met the young chef during the school’s graduation celebrations, remembered her warmth and eagerness to assist others.
“So saddened and utterly shocked to hear this. Such a beautiful person, always willing and eager to help. I remember she kept topping up our wine on Graduation Day, knowing exactly what we wanted and jumping in to serve. What a terrible loss to the school,” Freese said.
Family friend Avis Meresman Nel, who watched Alexis grow up, also extended her condolences to the bereaved relatives: “A truly beautiful child… have watched her grow up… sorry family.”
For the staff and students at the Hilton campus, coming to terms with the sudden loss of a promising young chef remains an overwhelming challenge.
“As a school family, we are shattered. I am personally distraught, and I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that someone with so much life, so much promise, and so much ahead of her is no longer here,” the school’s tribute read, concluding: “Rest peacefully, our beautiful girl. You will always be part of our JC family.”