Nan Mellville: Frustration

I have lived in New York for 25 years, returning annually to my homeland, South Africa, for many reasons, and proudly taking note of progress often. New York is not a place without its difficulties and I've had my own frustrations with the play out of my life there at times. I often find myself yearning to return to live here, in South Africa, encouraged by those forward steps, especially in social relations.

This year, while in the country, during the xenophobia rising - I felt frustration more than anything else. Frustration that in a country with much progress - here was suddenly a possibility of a huge backward step and the anxieties and reactions to this could be seen in pwople's expressions everywhere. Beautiful beaches, such as Fish Hoek have the frustration of the trek fishermen who sit and wait because of the drastic decline of
fish and the now very restrictive laws against them. People seem more irritated during their everyday shopping at the outlet and scratching up the money to shop!

Yet I also became aware of the strong resistances to a backward slide too. There are those such as Mamela, a wonderful, positive dancer, who performs for school children in a projects that encourages sharing of issues including problems and frustration. There are those such as the volunteers helping out in groups at refugee "temporary camps" during
this time.

Finding the key to difficulties, as well as to frustration, is a path to at least endurance. It also is a step towards facing issues and, perhaps by working together, a start towards overcoming them. I have also been encouraged by the strengths and the sense of humour that I came across during this time.

Short Biography

Born and raised in Kimberley Nan obtained a BA at Rhodes University in English and Speech and Drama. She taught these subjects in Cape Town along with running the photographic club and doing volunteer teaching and directing with various schools and the EOAN group. Her interest in photography and dance and drama led her to a post of photographer at
PACT in Gauteng. Another passion is travel and Nan has spent the past 21
years in New York as a freelance photographer - mainly in the field on
performing arts where she works for The New York Times, The Juilliard
School, Lincoln Center and many others. She takes every opportunity to
visit as many far-flung places as possible. Melville returns to South Africa
every year for the special South African details she so loves.

Frustration
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