The Maimed

Synopsis

A fictional West African state called Songhai

Frans Harmse, a young man with a hidden racial identity, returns to his homeland as a professor. Frans finds himself caught in a web of racial prejudice and family secrets that threaten to unravel his life. Adopted and raised by Senator Bart Harmse, Frans discovers his biological father’s identity just as he falls in love with the Senator’s daughter, setting off a chain of events that expose the brutal realities of South Africa’s apartheid system.

Smit’s play delves deep into the psychological impact of racial segregation, exploring themes of identity, forbidden love, and the crushing weight of societal expectations. Through a series of flashbacks and tense confrontations, the narrative unfolds with a mix of stark realism and surreal elements, punctuated by moments of dark humour. The play’s climax, a shocking act of violence born from desperation, serves as a brutal metaphor for the lengths to which prejudice can drive individuals, leaving audiences to grapple with the devastating consequences of a society divided by colour.