Stage: Please, don’t call me moffie by Zubayr Charles debuts at Suidoosterfees 2025

Exciting theatre news is the staging of Please, don’t call me moffie which will be presented by Suidoosterfees and Artscape for two performances only at Suidoosterfees 2025 – April 30 at 15:00 and Sunday May 4 at 17:00. Read on for more about this one hander, written and directed by Zubayr Charles and starring Anzio September. Info as supplied:

Please, don’t call me moffie – a thought-provoking and powerful one-man performance on toxic masculinity, mental health and homophobia, showcasing April, 2025

Written by and directed by Zubayr Charles, a UCT Masters in Creative Writing graduate, the one-man show debuts at this year’s Suidoosterfees, following its original pitch at the 2023 Teksmark Festival. This story explores the lives of five Coloured and Cape Malay queer men in their late 20s as they reflect on identity, religion, and belonging in Cape Town, South Africa. The story unfolds after a viral video of a brutal homophobic attack in an unnamed Arab country shocks them into confronting their pasts and present realities.

Starring Cape Town-based actor Anzio September, a UCT Theatre and Performance graduate, the play sees him seamlessly embody five distinct characters in a performance that is as emotionally raw as it is captivating.

“My dream is to provide a space and start a conversation to inspire the queer youth – specifically those that have been ostracised from their communities. Many young boys, girls and gender non-conforming individuals are still being bullied and experience homophobia and queerphobia, due to continuous hate being spread within society to queer individuals, and our play can create much-needed awareness,” relays writer and director Zubayr Charles.

Don’t miss this gripping and thought-provoking theatrical experience that brings voice and visibility to queer narratives in South Africa

The story at a glance

After viewing a viral online video of a brutal homophobic attack in an unknown Arab country, five Coloured and Cape Malay gay men in their late 20s react and share their experiences growing up queer and grappling with religion in Cape Town, South Africa.

Inspiration

Zubayr Charles says: “Almost three years ago, a local influencer started spewing hate about queer people on social media platforms, and this individual used religion to justify their views. Sadly, those videos and posts were the driving force for various online debates, and I realised that more and more people were actually homophobic – many of those people I grew up with and knew personally. I then read a “letter to a homophobe” that was shared on Instagram written by someone who grew up Muslim and identified as queer. At the time, I was completing my Masters in Creative Writing, and as his honesty inspired me to also take action. I thought about ways in which I could use my skills to comment about what was happening in society, and that is when I wrote the script and applied for the then 2023 Teksmark Festival.”

Intersectionality of queerness, religion, and identity

Please, don’t call me moffie is a powerful and intimate one-man show that explores the intersectionality of queerness, religion, and identity within Cape Town’s Coloured and Cape Malay communities. The play is brought to life by the multi-talented Anzio September, who masterfully embodies five distinct characters, each offering a unique perspective on the struggles and complexities of growing up queer in a deeply religious and culturally rich environment.

The narrative begins when Mushfeeq, the protagonist, views a viral video of a brutal homophobic attack in an unnamed Arab country. This event sparks intense reflections and conversations among himself and his three queer friends about their lives, their faith, and their place in society. Their stories are interwoven with the lingering shadow of their estranged friend Haroon, whose religious reawakening has profoundly affected their relationships.

Through humour, heartbreak, and unflinching honesty, Please, don’t call me moffie challenges stereotypes and brings visibility to the often overlooked experiences of queer individuals in Cape Town.

About Zubayr Charles

Zubayr Charles is a 30 year old multi-disciplinary writer and UCT Masters in Creative Writing cum laude graduate from Cape Town, South Africa. As an emerging playwright and director, his works—Mercy; Please, don’t call me moffie; The Battered Housewives’ Club; and this bra’s a psycho—have been showcased at various theatres and festivals in Cape Town. His essays are published on LitNet and Cape Creative Collective. He has completed his first novel Haram and he has additionally finished a poetry collection titled the sad boy’s starter pack and other poems – both dealing with the theme of queer identity which he hopes to get published in 2026.

About Anzio September

Anzio September is a Cape Town-based actor and performer, and a graduate of UCT’s Theatre and Performance programme. His stage credits include ensemble roles in Aunty Merle: The Musical, Aunty Merle, It’s a Girl, and Aunty Merle, Things Get Real! by Marc Lottering; the musicals Danger in the Dark and Rent!; as well as the productions Living Coloured and this bra’s a psycho. He is currently a main cast member in the children’s theatre show Pampoenpit se Groen. Anzio has been nominated for both the Fleur du Cap and Naledi Theatre Awards for his work on stage. His screen appearances include roles in Arendsvlei, Fatal Desire, and American Monster.

✳ Anzio September stars in Please, don’t call me moffie which will be presented at Suidoosterfees 2025. The one hander is written and directed by Zubayr Charles. Sponsored content. Images supplied.