Girley Charlene Jazama, professionally known as Girley Jazama, ranks among Southern Africa’s top award-winning performers. Born in 1984, she excels in film, television, and theatre, championing authentic African narratives and industry growth in Namibia. As a Hollywood Immersive graduate, her roles in acclaimed projects have earned global acclaim.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Girley Charlene Jazama |
| Date of Birth | 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Okahandja, Namibia |
| Nationality | Namibian |
| State/Region of Origin | Windhoek, Namibia |
| Partner/Spouse | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Actress, Screenwriter, Film Producer |
| Net Worth | $500,000 – $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Girley Jazama grew up in Okahandja and Karibib, Namibia, as the middle child among seven siblings. Her school drama teacher ignited her passion for acting through roles like Rafiki in The Lion King and James Brown in a musical.
She honed her skills at the College of the Arts, studying drama and creative writing, before entering the industry via copywriting at Adforce.
Career
Jazama launched her career in 2006 with stage roles in Bewitched Tree and Olivia Toyeta, showcasing her raw talent in local theatre. Her TV debut arrived in 2008 with The Ties That Bind Us, where she portrayed Pretty and scripted Episode 12, revealing her multifaceted skills early on.
The 2010s brought steady growth through projects like the short film 100 Bucks (2012) and stage production Revere Them Those Men (2014), building her reputation in Namibia.
Her breakthrough came with The White Line (2019), a historical romance set during apartheid where she starred as the defiant Sylvia Kamutjemo, co-produced, and elevated Namibian cinema internationally with five Africa Movie Academy Award nominations.
In 2019, she co-wrote and co-produced Baxu and the Giants, Namibia’s first Netflix-streamed film addressing rhino poaching, which triumphed at global festivals.
In 2021, she led in Under the Hanging Tree as Christina Mureti, followed by her international leap in Measures of Men (2023, Der Vermessene Mensch), playing Kezia Kambazembi, a Herero woman enduring colonial pseudoscience-under German director Lars Kraume.
Recent work includes Apart from Her (2024) as Johanna, plus documentaries like More Than Mining (2017) where she handled scripting and production management. Her seasonal industry approach diversifying across acting, writing, producing, and even sound recording, has sustained her relevance while mentoring emerging Namibian talent.
Personal Life
Girley Jazama keeps her personal life private, sharing little about relationships or family in public forums. Of Ovaherero heritage, she draws from family history like her great-great-grandmother’s imprisonment to fuel her storytelling, while using meditation to separate roles from reality.
Net Worth
Girley Jazama’s net worth stands at an estimated $500,000 to $1 million. This reflects earnings from lead roles in Netflix projects, international films like Measures of Men, award-winning productions, producing credits, and brand ambassadorships in the growing African cinema market.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Three and a Half Lives of Philip Wetu | Nailoke |
| 2010 | Cries at Night | Niece |
| 2012 | 100 Bucks | Maria |
| 2016 | Underneath the Sky | Sky |
| 2018 | The White Line | Sylvia Kamutjemo |
| 2020 | The Game | Ndanki |
| 2020 | Save The Rhino (promo) | Narrator |
| 2021 | Under The Hanging Tree | Christina Mureti |
| 2021 | Measures of Men (Der Vermessene Mensch) | Kezia Kambazembi |
| 2024 | Apart from Her | Johanna |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Ties That Bind | Pretty |
| 2009 | Liebe, Babys und der Zauber Afrikas | Student |
| 2013 | Um Himmels Willen | Schwester Alma |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Bewitched Tree | Ndeshi |
| 2006 | Olivia Toyeta | Bubbles |
| 2007 | God of Women | – |
| 2007 | Everyman | Angel |
| 2014 | Revere Them Those Men | Divine Edison |
Crew Work (Writing, Production, Direction)
| Year | Title | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Ties That Bind | Scriptwriter (Episode 12) |
| 2017 | More Than Mining | Scriptwriter, Production Manager |
| 2018 | The White Line | Producer |
| 2019 | Land Rights for the Urban Poor | Director, Scriptwriter |
| 2019 | Baxu and the Giants | Co-writer, Co-producer, Production Manager |
| 2020 | Watering The Tree | Sound Recordist |
Awards and Nominations
Jazama earned the 2020 Sotigui Award for Best Actor of Southern Africa for The White Line, plus Sotigui D’Or. Baxu and the Giants won Best Foreign Narrative at San Francisco Independent Short Film Festival and Best Long Short Film at Global Indie Film Fest. The White Line secured AMAA Best Actress nomination, Golden Globe and Oscar shortlists; other nods span Namibian awards, FESPACO, and more.
