Grieving mother vows justice after aspiring chef, 19, dies in horror crash - IOL

The culinary world is mourning 19-year-old Alexis-Jayde van Wyk, who died in a head-on collision near Pietermaritzburg after presenting her high-tea practical examination.

The death of 19-year-old aspiring chef Alexis-Jayde van Wyk has left her family, friends and the culinary school where she was pursuing her dreams, devastated.

Her mother, Celeste van Wyk, has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter, describing the loss as the darkest moment of her life while vowing that justice will be served.

“Mommy loves you, my baby girl. This is going to be the hardest journey yet,” she said.

Van Wyk added that while nothing will bring her daughter back, "justice will be served."

"It is the deepest, darkest moment of my life. My baby, Mom loves you to the moon and back," she added. 

A BackaBuddy fundraising campaign launched for Alexis and her family has already surpassed R110,000, as an outpouring of support continues following the teenager’s tragic death.

Alexis, a first-year student at the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, died in a head-on collision on Saturday night on Dennis Shepstone Drive, also known as Sweetwaters Road, near Pietermaritzburg.

The young chef had presented her high-tea practical examination earlier that day, making the tragedy even harder for those who had watched her work towards her future in the food industry.

In a heartbreaking tribute, the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine remembered Alexis for her vibrant personality, infectious humour and the promise she had shown.

“Some news leaves you completely shattered, and this is one of those moments,” the school said.

From the beginning, Alexis had formed a special bond with those around her. Her personality, energy and ability to bring laughter into a room had made her a much-loved member of the school family.

The school said she had the kind of attitude the culinary industry needed. She embraced challenges, went with the flow and approached life with a spirit that endeared her to those who knew her.

Her potential had left her educators excited about what lay ahead.

“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.

On Saturday, Alexis completed her high-tea examination, which she had named “POO BEAR” in honour of her favourite childhood character.

The name reflected the playful, childlike spirit that the school said made her such a breath of fresh air.

Even the smallest details of her time at the school had become treasured memories. Her frequent use of the phrase “6–7” had turned it into an inside joke among students and staff.

Those seemingly ordinary moments have now taken on a different meaning for the people who loved her.

Tracy Freese, who remembered Alexis from the school's graduation celebrations, was among those left shocked by the news of her death.

“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.

Avis Meresman Nel, who had watched Alexis grow up, also paid tribute to the teenager, remembering her as a beautiful child and expressing sympathy for her grieving family.

“A truly beautiful child... have watched her grow up... sorry family,” Meresman Nel said.

The school said the entire community was struggling to come to terms with Alexis's death, with her passing cutting short a promising journey in the culinary industry.

“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 tribute read.

The school also expressed its love and support for Alexis's family, including Mark, Celeste and her brothers, as they navigate the devastating loss.

Alexis's death has left those who knew her mourning not only the young woman they cherished, but also the future they had been looking forward to seeing unfold.

Her culinary journey may have been cut tragically short, but the laughter, friendships and memories she created will remain with those whose lives she touched.

“Rest peacefully, our beautiful girl. You will always be part of our JC family,” the school said.