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Paulet House Stories
A place where stories unfold
Paulet House Stories
A place where stories unfold

Zubayr Charles

Zubayr Charles grew up in the picture-postcard neighbourhood of the Bo-Kaap. He teaches English First Language at the Good Hope Seminary High School and coordinates the school's drama club. At the same time, he is busy with his master's degree in creative writing at UCT. 'I write short stories, but I also consider myself a poet and playwright. In 2019 I showcased my first play dealing with gender-based violence The Battered Housewives' Club.' Zubayr is in the process of self-publishing an anthology of poems on the topic of the gentrification of the Bo-Kaap. Zubayr was hesitant about submitting his work to the Kommadagga panel. 'I have learnt that reading is subjective and people can either really like or dislike one's writing. So, I wasn't sure how the panellists would respond to my submission. When I received the good news, it was humbling because, although I have grown more confident in my writing, I wasn't sure about the reaction I would receive.' The short story he submitted deals with many of the taboos that millennials in Cape Town struggle with and that older and more conservative generations may not necessarily warm towards. 'I feel extremely honoured to be part of this programme and I hope to improve my writing in order to continue sharing the stories of the marginalised in the Cape Town of today.'

Zubayr Charles speaks about his play Mercy

“Mercy is a theatre production (written and directed by Zubayr Charles). It was part of the 14th annual Zabalaza Festival at the Baxter Theatre last week. Mercy features a cast of talented […]

Mercy by Zubayr Charles: a photo essay

The elderly woman sits absolutely still on a nearly bare stage. This is the opening scene of Mercy written and directed by Zubayr Charles, on at The Baxter’s Zabalaza Festival […]

LitNet Stemme: Haram

Vir Stemme, LitNet se dialoogprojek saam met die Suidoosterfees, NATi en die ATKV, is tien dramaturge genader om kort dialoë te skryf. Twintig akteurs is gevra om daarin te speel en tien […]

Die Teaterprojek Stemme word op LitNet vrygestel

“Zubayr Charles, wat LitNet se Kommadagga-slypskool voltooi het, het Haram geskryf. Quanita Adams was die regisseur en Bianca Flanders en Marunzo Thomas in die rolverdeling. Zubayr sê: Om by Suid Afrika se […]

LitNet: A theatre review of Mercy by Zubayr Charles

Title: MercyWritten and directed by: Zubayr CharlesPerformed by: Ibtisaam Florence, Jennifer Morris, Masnoena Leggett, Amaan Van Oordt and Vuyokazi BuluDates of performance: 30 June – 3 July 2023Venue: The Theatre Arts, Observatory […]