Charles Phasha is a South African actor best known for his role as Jerry Nyandeni (“Jerry”) on the Mzansi Magic soap-opera Isibaya. His work on Isibaya, plus earlier roles, have made him a recognizable figure in the South African entertainment industry. (1
Early Life and Background
Charles Phasha was born in Mhluzi, Middelburg, a town in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. (2) He grew up there with his mother, Bertha Phasha, who he spoke about, in interviews, as initially doubting that acting was accessible for someone from a less privileged background. From a young age, Charles was fascinated by what he saw on television, and even as a child, he told his mother that he would one day be on TV. (2)
After completing his high school matriculation, he pursued formal training in dramatic arts. He studied directing, acting, and scriptwriting at the Federated Union of Black Artists (FUBA). This gave him both technical grounding and exposure to different aspects of performance. (3)
Early Career
Before his breakthrough on Isibaya, Phasha worked in community theatre, doing sketches and local performances. His early sketch work included pieces teaching teenagers about environmental care. (3)
He appeared in several South African television shows in supporting roles, gradually building up his visibility. Some of his earlier roles include Mandla on Rhythm City, Speedy on Zone 14, and Moferefere on Yalla.
Rise to Prominence – Isibaya
His major breakthrough came with Isibaya, a popular South African television drama series broadcast on Mzansi Magic. On Isibaya, Charles Phasha played the character Jerry Ndlovu. Jerry is a comic relief character, and Phasha’s portrayal of him has endeared him to many viewers. (4)
In interviews, Phasha has mentioned that the role of Jerry had very little at its inception — a short biography with maybe five lines. He took it upon himself to expand on the character, playing with the dialogue and infusing him with personality (“Mzala ka Mzitho”, for example) so that Jerry became more memorable.
Phasha said his co-actors, such as Abdul Khoza (who plays Qaphela) and Linda Sebezo (as Lillian), were instrumental in his growth as Jerry’s character. He learned theatrical and television acting alike from watching and interacting with them.
Other Notable Activities and Personal Traits
Beyond acting, Charles Phasha has had various other responsibilities and interests. One of these is his involvement with a Gauteng Health Clinic Committee. Reports in 2018 suggested some controversy, with claims that he was being paid for this role but was often absent, presumably due to his acting commitments. (4)
In more recent developments, he has taken up long-distance running. In 2025, Charles Phasha announced that he would run the Comrades Marathon (one of South Africa’s most famous ultra-marathons). It was his first time entering that particular event. He began running more during the COVID-19 lockdowns, starting with jogging close to home, then moving on to shorter races and eventually full marathons. (5)
Philosophy, Style, and Public Image
Phasha has described himself as a storyteller — someone who connects with the audience through his roles. He says that when he steps into a role, particularly Jerry, he tries to become that character fully: reading the script, putting on the costume, finding the voice and body language. (3)
He places importance on humility and learning from others. Charles has said that Jerry’s character taught him not to undermine anyone; that every person, regardless of status or background, has something to teach.
He has also acknowledged that, when he was younger, people around him—including his mother—viewed acting as something for “rich people,” which made his path less straightforward. But his curiosity, persistence, and involvement in community theatre laid the foundation for his later success.
Impact and Significance
Charles Phasha’s role on Isibaya made him a household name in South Africa, especially in the realm of soap operas and serial dramas. His ability to take a small role and imbue it with life is cited as one of his strengths. Many viewers relate to his characters because he portrays them with nuance and humor.
His move into endurance running also shows versatility and a public willingness to challenge himself. It adds a dimension to his public persona beyond acting. (5)
Recent Status
As of early 2025, Charles Phasha was training to run the Comrades Marathon (the “down run”, Pietermaritzburg to Durban) under the Gauteng Health Athletics Club. He has done at least two full marathons (42 km) and qualified for Comrades by meeting its qualifying requirement (finishing a 42 km in under five hours).
He has also stated that while acting gave him a big break, he is not currently committed to a major project and is focusing on the upcoming marathon.
