Please, don’t call me moffie opens up some deep questions. What does it mean to grow up queer in Cape Town? What happens when religion, identity and masculinity collide? And how do you hold onto your sense of self when the world keeps trying to erase it?
These are just some of the questions explored in this bold one-man show written and directed by Zubayr Charles and starring Anzio September. The play is showing at the 2025 Suidoosterfees at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. The story follows five Cape Coloured queer men in their late twenties. After a violent homophobic attack in an unnamed Arab country goes viral online, they are forced to confront their own childhood traumas and what it means to be queer, coloured and male in today’s South Africa.
Zubayr was inspired to write the play after a series of online hate posts started spreading through his own community. The story began as a response. It grew into a powerful piece of theatre.
We caught up with the writer and director, Zubayr Charles for a quick Q&A:
Between 10and5: What was the moment that made you realise this story had to be told on stage?
Zubayr Charles: A few years ago, a local influencer voiced their hate speech about queer people. On social media, more and more people were voicing their homophobic views and were using Islam to justify their hate — many of those people I knew personally. The saddest moment was when the first person I ever came out to also re-shared those homophobic views. The person told me, “Don’t hate the person; hate the act.” That was just one of the many comments people were making that were not only disgusting, but ironic as well. I was totally baffled at how people pick and choose which Islamic teachings they want to follow. With that in mind, I thought about ways in which I could use my skills in Creative Writing to comment on what was happening in society, and that is when I wrote the first draft of the script and applied for the then-2023 Teksmark Festival.
Between 10and5: You mention being inspired by a “letter to a homophobe”. What was it about that letter that struck a chord with you personally?
Zubayr Charles: After reading the “letter to a homophobe” that was shared on Instagram, I instantly admired the writer’s bravery. The act of sharing his feelings so openly on social media was inspiring to me. He too stemmed from Muslim background and had endured many nuanced struggles that I did too. I kept thinking, if he could express his feeling so openly, surely I could do the same. Thankfully, I invited the writer of the “letter to a homophobe”. We must not underestimate the power of the voice irrespective its format. Although Please, don’t call me moffie is an immersive theatre experience, I do hope that one day the text will be published and that many get to read it, and be inspired as well.
Between 10and5: How did your background in creative writing influence your approach to writing for theatre, especially a one-man show like this?
Zubayr Charles: It is interesting how creative writing has influenced this play. I have no formal background in theatre or performance art – I don’t view this as a disadvantage, as I approach the medium of theatre differently. First and foremost, I looked at the story from a writer’s perspective. The best advice I received in writing is, “Read like a writer and write like a reader.” With that in mind, not only must the text make sense to the reader, but I have to write and direct as if I am an audience member too. Then there are so many other elements that bring the story to life: acting, costuming, transitions, sound cues, lighting, marketing; theatre is certainly not easy work, but I am most grateful to have Anzio September as my creative partner.
Between 10and5: What challenges or discoveries came with writing five distinct characters who all share elements of a collective experience?
Zubayr Charles: Originally, I created the five characters to tackle the sensitive issue of problematic queer archetypes found in literature, film and media: “tragic gay”; “straight guy character” (not to be confused with sexuality); “promiscuous gay/gym rat”; and “flamboyant gay.” Each character was written to subvert these archetypes. However, as I wrote the script and reflected on the different stages of my life, I realised the distinct characters actually represented different versions of me. With that as a foundation, I had to think of clever ways in which each character would react to the homophobic attack, as well as how they would reveal their life’s journey to the audience. The rest is just creative writing — all made up. Although the characters are fictional, they are all based on me.
Between 10and5: The title Please, don’t call me moffie is both literary and political. How did you arrive at that choice, and what do you hope it sparks in audiences?
Zubayr Charles: The title has a double meaning. It is firstly an homage to Raymond Carver and his short story collection Will you please be quiet, please which deals with the themes of existential crisis. In our show, all five main characters are struggling with their identity and their position in this world, as they are entering their 30s. With that in mind, the second meaning of course refers to how the term “moffie” should not be used as derogatory word. The word can have different connotations for different individuals. When I was in primary school, on a daily basis, I was verbally ridiculed for being effeminate by my peers and even adults and teachers, even so called “friends” and family members joined in. The older I grew, I became more in touch with my masculine side. I understand my position in this world, but others, particularly our queer youth might not. The title in itself encourages society to rethink the subtle and covert forms of homophobia.
Between 10and5: Cape Town has such a layered cultural identity. How did your own upbringing in this city shape the themes of this play?
Zubayr Charles: The biggest way Cape Town inspires this text its through the use of language. It is important for the characters to be authentic in the way they speak. With that in mind and despite the text being predominantly in English, there is a mixture of Kaaps, Cape Muslim vernacular and Arabic words.
Between 10and5: Religion, identity, and masculinity are complex topics to bring together. How did you navigate those intersections without oversimplifying or preaching?
Zubayr Charles: I didn’t set out to write a play about religion, identity, or masculinity. Instead, I focused on telling a character-driven story. The themes naturally emerged from my own different lived experiences, and with that in mind, I allowed it come through from the characters. As the story unfolded, the various intersections revealed themselves—not as a deliberate message, but as a reflection of the complexities many of us face. For me, it was more important to honour the emotional truth of the characters rather than imposing a particular theme. That honesty is what, I believe, allowed the play to resonate without sounding preachy. Ultimately, this is a story and I want viewers to see it for what it is.
Between 10and5: You’ve said you hope the play inspires queer youth who’ve been ostracised. What kind of impact do you hope it has beyond the theatre walls?
Zubayr Charles: For now, we thankfully have two sold out shows at the Suidoorsterfees festival at Artscape Theatre. I am hoping that people will see the impact of our story, and from there we could do a full run of the show and invite queer youth. For now, my hope is for the general public to be more compassionate. We don’t have to agree with each other, but there is no need for hate.
Between 10and5: What stories about queer identity do you think still aren’t being told enough in South African spaces — on stage or beyond?
Zubayr Charles: Globally, stories about queer individuals of colour are not necessarily represented. Although I can acknowledge the impact queer literature, film and media has had on me, it still comes from a predominantly white and Westernised lense. Please, don’t call me moffie in its essence is already a win. I am most proud to have contributed a text that can one day help someone who is queer, coloured and ostracised from a Muslim or Cape Malay community understand how they fit into this world. If I can make things easier for the next generation and not have them experience the intercanal and external difficulties that I have, I would be most grateful.
Between 10and5: What advice would you give young creatives who want to use art to talk about difficult or personal topics?
Zubayr Charles: Be authentic and true to yourself. Just last night, someone I had never met before mentioned that parts of my online published essay writing feels like it was written from the head and not my heart, and that there was a dissonance between how I present myself and what I write. While that kind of comment could feel unexpected or even unsettling – especially from a stranger – I took it as a reminder of how subjective art is. Ultimately, I write to express what I feel and to tell stories that centre the marginalised. Nobody else can truly know what lives in another’s heart or mind. So my advice is don’t write to impress others. Write because something inside you needs to be expressed. If others resonate with it, that’s a beautiful bonus – but the act of writing itself is already the win. We often dwell on the negatives, but remember: someone out there will connect with what you’ve created.
Where to watch Please, don’t call me moffie
Catch Please, don’t call me moffie at the Suidoosterfees at Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. The next performance is on Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 3pm. Tickets are R150 and available via Webtickets. The Sunday 4 May show is already sold out.
The show stars Anzio September, a Cape Town-based actor with stage and screen credits that include Aunty Merle, Rent!and Arendsvlei. He has been nominated for both the Fleur du Cap and Naledi Theatre Awards.
Follow Anzio September on Instagram.
Follow Zubayr Charles on Instagram.
Follow The Suidoosterfees for all the latest details.
