Charles Maja Explained

Charles Maja
Other Names:	Big Boy
Birth Date:	1966
Birth Name:	Charles Maja
Birth Place:	Limpopo, South Africa
Death Date:	9 April 2020 (aged 54)
Death Place:	Limpopo, South Africa
Alma Mater:	Action School of Drama
Years Active:	1984–2020
Spouse:	Mamopudi Maja
Children:	3
Occupation:	Actor

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]}

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]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja has died . 2021-11-11 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.
2. Web site: Matjebele . Palesa . The glue that binds Leshole and Big Boy . 2021-11-11 . Drum . en-US.
3. Web site: Absent dad made little Thabo Mkhabela sad . 2021-11-11 . SowetanLIVE . en-ZA.
4. Web site: Leshole & Big Boy need to have 'the talk' before it's too late . 2021-11-11 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.
5. Web site: Matangira . Lungelo . 'Skeem Saam' actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja dies . 2021-11-11 . ewn.co.za . en.
6. Web site: Actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja a man of many talents, including design . 2021-11-11 . SowetanLIVE . en-ZA.
7. Web site: Mambana . Duenna . Tributes pour in for late Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja . 2021-11-11 . Drum . en-US.
8. Web site: Mambana . Duenna . Skeem Saam actor Charles Maja to be laid to rest this weekend . 2021-11-11 . Drum . en-US.
9. Web site: 2020-04-19 . Deceased Skeem Saam Actor Charles Maja's Family FINED For Having Funeral . 2021-11-11 . iHarare News . en-GB.
10. Web site: Faeza . Difference from their characters . 2021-11-11 . Drum . en-US.
11. Web site: Late Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja practised lines in taxi . 2021-11-11 . SowetanLIVE . en-ZA.
12. Web site: Dayile . Qhama . We’re nothing alike’ – Skeem Saam’s Thabo Mkhabela and Charles Maja on their roles . 2021-11-11 . Drum . en-US.
13. Web site: 2021-05-25 . Charles Maja - The Life, Achievements and Death of the Skeem Saam Actor . 2021-11-11 . BuzzSouthAfrica . en-US.
14. Web site: Thabo 'Leshole' Mkhabela devastated by Charles 'Big Boy' Maja's death. 2021-11-10. sowetanlive.
15. Web site: Skeem Saam actor Charles 'Big Boy' Maja has died . 2021-11-11 . SowetanLIVE . en-ZA.
16. Web site: Why do Skeem Saam writers seem to hate Big Boy and Leshole so much? . 2021-11-11 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.