Charles Maja

Charles Maja (1966 – 9 April 2020), affectionately known by his teledrama role Big Boy, was a South African actor.[1] Even though he never had formal training in acting career,[2] Maja became a popular radio artist in early 1980s and later became very popular with the role in the television soap opera Skeem Saam.[3][4]

Charles Maja
Born
Charles Maja

1966
Limpopo, South Africa
Died9 April 2020 (aged 54)
Limpopo, South Africa
Other namesBig Boy
Alma materAction School of Drama
OccupationActor
Years active1984–2020
SpouseMamopudi Maja
Children3

Personal life

Charles Maja was born in 1966 in Limpopo, South Africa.[5]

He was married to his longtime partner, Mamopudi. The couple had three children: Mahlatse, Molagare, and Mapula.[6]

He died on 9 April 2020 in Limpopo at the age of 54 after suffering a sudden stroke.[7] His family and the Limpopo Artist Movement (LAM) hosted a memorial service after lifting the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The funeral service took place in his home village of Ga-Maja in Limpopo.[8] However, his family was fined R5 000 for violating lockdown regulations during the funeral.[9]

Career

He studied drama at Action School of Drama in Limpopo.[10] Before entering television, he made extensive roles on over twenty radio dramas at Sepedi radio station Thobela FM in 1984. During this period, he appeared in the radio soap opera Mahlakung with the role "Bra Tick".[11] However, he later took a break from radio to finish his matric. Then until 1996, he worked as a fashion designer. In 1997, he moved to professional acting, after he was cast as "Motlolu" in the SABC 2 television serial Ke Bona Boloi.[12][13]

Initially, he was auditioned for a soapie in 2011 and got selected for recurring role. However later in 2016, he joined with the cast of SABC 1 soap opera Skeem Saam and played the role of "Big Boy Mabitsela", the abusive, alcoholic father of Leshole Mabitsela.[14] The role became highly popular where he continued to play the role for many years.[15][16]

References
  1. "Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja has died". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. Matjebele, Palesa. "The glue that binds Leshole and Big Boy". Drum. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. "Absent dad made little Thabo Mkhabela sad". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. "Leshole & Big Boy need to have 'the talk' before it's too late". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. Matangira, Lungelo. "'Skeem Saam' actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja dies". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. "Actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja a man of many talents, including design". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. Mambana, Duenna. "Tributes pour in for late Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja". Drum. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. Mambana, Duenna. "Skeem Saam actor Charles Maja to be laid to rest this weekend". Drum. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  9. "Deceased Skeem Saam Actor Charles Maja's Family FINED For Having Funeral". iHarare News. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  10. Faeza. "Difference from their characters". Drum. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  11. "Late Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja practised lines in taxi". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  12. Dayile, Qhama. "We're nothing alike' – Skeem Saam's Thabo Mkhabela and Charles Maja on their roles". Drum. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  13. "Charles Maja - The Life, Achievements and Death of the Skeem Saam Actor". BuzzSouthAfrica. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  14. "Thabo 'Leshole' Mkhabela devastated by Charles 'Big Boy' Maja's death". sowetanlive. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. "Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja has died". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  16. "Why do Skeem Saam writers seem to hate Big Boy and Leshole so much?". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
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