harles Maja, popularly known for his role as Big Boy in the television soap opera Skeem Saam, passed away on 9 April 2020 at the age of 54. Born in 1966 in Limpopo, South Africa, Maja had no formal training in acting. However, he became a popular radio artist in the early 1980s and went on to become a celebrated television actor.

Maja was married to his longtime partner, Mamopudi, and they had three children together. He studied drama at the Action School of Drama in Limpopo and appeared in over twenty radio dramas at Sepedi radio station Thobela FM in 1984. During this period, he played the role of Bra Tick in the radio soap opera Mahlakung.

After taking a break from radio to finish his matric, Maja worked as a fashion designer until 1996 when he began his professional acting career. He was cast as Motlolu in the SABC 2 television serial Ke Bona Boloi in 1997.

Maja's most notable role was as Big Boy Mabitsela in the soap opera Skeem Saam. He joined the cast in 2016 and played the abusive, alcoholic father of Leshole Mabitsela. The role became highly popular, and he continued to play it for many years.

Maja suffered a sudden stroke and passed away on 9 April 2020 in Limpopo. His family and the Limpopo Artist Movement (LAM) hosted a memorial service after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, and his funeral service took place in his home village of Ga-Maja in Limpopo. However, his family was fined R5,000 for violating lockdown regulations during the funeral.