Ryan Swano
Actress, Talk Show Host, Dancer and MC among many other things, Melissa de Vries, is originally from Blackheath on the Cape Flats, and has in recent years become a well-known figure in entertainment and media spaces across the country and even abroad.
Known by many for her roles as Sasha Daniels in Arendsvlei and Bronwyn in Taktiek, Melissa currently stars in the lead role of the sitcom, Mince Jou Hare, as Frieda.
Aside from her abovementioned TV roles, Melissa is well-respected in SA Hip Hop Culture as the world-class award-winning dancer, Mel Rock, who has competed locally and on the global stage. She is also a dance teacher, choreographer, as well a judge for local and international dance competitions. Her stature in the dance world splendidly suited her role as the teacher Sasha Daniels in Arendsvlei who also coached the school’s dance team.
More Than Just a Dancer Who Can Act
As a trained actress, Melissa has two other special skills listed by her agents that makes us at Bruinou.com hope to see her in her own action hero TV show or movie in the near future. Melissa de Vries has Weapons Training and she does Boxing.
The opening scene of the first episode of the 2020 12th season of the worldwide popular British TV show Doctor Who, shows Melissa as the un-named Sniper. In her role in the more recent critically acclaimed local short film Die Swart Draak Ontwaak, Melissa shows that she can very well handle all the aspects of being an action star.
Her experience as a presenter on community channel Cape Town TV in Open Studio and Eksê was great preparation for her sterling work she does with her acclaimed self-produced YouTube series A Walk With Mel. In her talk show Melissa interviews mostly, but not exclusively, Coloured entertainers, actors, dancers, and simply just folks from humble backgrounds making a huge impact on society with their talents.
Of course her content on her social media platforms such as her Mel Jo Pel Facebook Page, her Instagram,and her TikTok is also endearing her to many new followers.
Her Mel Jo Pel Talk Show, her continued involvement in Hip Hop & Dance Culture, and how she passionately uses these and other avenues as tools for community and youth upliftment, not only in her own Coloured communities, but also beyond, makes Melissa de Vries a hero who we all should celebrate.
Arendsvlei & Mince Jou Hare Changed The Game
The Showmax Interview
In the current series starring Melissa de Vries, and which we wrote about in our article Mince Jou Hare Sitcom is To Dye For, her character, Frieda, quits her factory job to set up a hair salon in her home, disrupting the lives of her family, neighbours and clients in the process.
The Showmax Original sitcom is inspired by the true story of Frieda, the mother of award-winning comedian Shimmy Isaacs, who writes and co-produces.
With the full season of Mince Jou Hare available to binge as from Monday, 12 August 2024, Caryn Welby-Solomon had a chat to Mel to find out more:
How would you describe Mince Jou Hare?
It’s a sitcom that revolves around Frieda and her salon. Mince Jou Hare is about a woman going for her dreams and it’s about relationships. Everyone wants to be in that house. The customers come for more than a hair treatment, because it’s a safe space where they can let their walls down and escape from their own realities.
Tell us about your character.
Frieda, Frieda, Frieda …
She is very relatable: a woman who is trying her best to start her own business while running a household. She works hard and she is honest and loyal.
Shimmy always used to say that statistically her mom was not supposed to make it. She was supposed to stay in the factory. But she proved the statistics wrong.
She shows that it’s possible to do whatever you put your mind to. It’s not about where you come from, but where you are going.
What attracted you to this role?
Firstly, it was well written. It was so easy to learn the lines. I understood the world because of how the characters spoke – their interactions felt familiar. One of my sisters, Sharon “Sussie” Maarman, had her own hair salon. She’s not with us anymore but it reminded me of that world that I grew up in and how the hairstylist interacts with her clients.
At the audition I had the most fun because we got to play, and whether I got the role or not, it was an experience that gave me so much hope.
Why should people watch Mince Jou Hare?
It’s funny, it’s about family and they will see themselves – or their aunt or cousin or dad – on screen.
It’s a show that gives hope and puts a smile on your face and heart. We need more of these types of stories.
In your YouTube interview series A Walk With Mel you’ve spoken to other actors about their experiences in the industry. What have you noticed about how the industry has changed?
When I was growing up, I didn’t think it was possible for me to do this. Obviously I watched TV, but I didn’t really see people who looked like me.
Then eventually Arendsvlei happened. I feel like that show really changed the game for me because it was a full cast of Coloured people.
Since I began to interview Coloured actors, now versus then, you can see the difference. We are very talented people and didn’t always have access or resources to go into this industry full time, but I see more and more Coloured people creating their own. The younger people are more courageous because they have a social media platform and they see people who look like them and sound like them on TV.
I’m grateful to everyone who paved the way for us. They have shown us it’s possible.
Mince Jou Hare has also helped to show that it’s possible. This show celebrates the people of towns like Worcester. Here’s a middle-class family trying their best to create a better life for themselves.
So your dreams are achievable; you just need to work on your craft. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
READ Mince Jou Hare Sitcom is To Dye For
About Mince Jou Hare
The feel-good small-town comedy is directed by Spinners star David Isaacs, co-creator of Joe Barber and G.I.L. Roberta Durrant produces through Penguin Films, the company behind International Emmy nominees Stokvel and Home Affairs; classic SA comedies like the Rose d’Or nominee Madam & Eve and triple SAFTA winner G.I.L.; and long-running dramas Arendsvlei and Sara Se Geheim.
WATCH Mince Jou Hare Trailer
Opposite Mel, Mince Jou Hare stars the comedian Dugald Pieterse as her husband, Vincent, Fleur du Cap nominee Bianca Flanders (Troukoors; Nêrens, Noord-Kaap) as her best friend, Julia, and Franka Kirby in a breakthrough role as her daughter, Jody. Frieda’s neighbour, Oompie, is played by Gershwin Mias, who is up for 2024 Silwerskerm Awards for Best Supporting Actor for both Comedy and Drama, as Shaun in Magda Louw and Kaliel Glakus in Die Byl respectively.
The Full Season of Mince Jou Hare will be available to binge as from Monday, 12 August 2024.
