Melissa de Vries on how Arendsvlei and Mince Jou Hare changed the game

Melissa de Vries (Sasha Daniels in Arendsvlei, Bronwyn in Taktiek) stars in Mince Jou Hare as Frieda, who 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 from this Monday, 12 August 2024, Caryn Welby-Solomon chats 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.

Main Image: Showmax

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