Seventeen-year-old Nicholas van der Swart is conscripted into the South African Defence Force and is thrust into a regime that demands unwavering conformity, aggressive masculinity, and promotes racism and bigotry.

“MOFFIE” unfolds against the backdrop of apartheid South Africa, following Nicholas’s struggle against societal expectations and his internal battle to find his own identity amidst the violence of South Africa’s border war from 1966 to 1989.

The play delves into the fear of being labeled a ‘moffie’—a derogatory term for being gay—and the constant threat of exposure. “MOFFIE” is an exploration of toxic masculinity and trauma, shedding light on how the emotional wounds inflicted during those turbulent times continue to affect South Africa even 30 years into democracy, serving as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of the past on the present and future.