Who is Raphael Griffiths? Inside the life and career of the actor
Raphael Griffiths is a South African actor and television personality. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Vusi Mukwevho in the long-running South African soap opera Muvhango, where he appeared for several years.
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The young actor has been private about his life before recently opening up about his Zambian roots. His early struggles with social media and cyberbullying are likely the reason behind his insistence on privacy. Raphael Griffiths' biography reveals more about his life.
Profile summary
| Full name | Raphael Griffiths |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Date of birth | 3 January 1992 |
| Zodiac | Capricorn |
| Age | 33 years old (as of 2025) |
| Current residence | South Africa |
| Nationality | Zambian-South African |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| School | The School for the Creative Economy. |
| Occupation | Actor and TV personality |
| Net worth | $300 000 |
Who is Raphael Griffiths?
Raphael Griffiths is a South African actor whose best-known character was Vusi Muvhevho on SA's favourite local drama, Muvhango. He was born on 3 January 1992 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is of Zambian and South African descent.
Raphael Griffiths' parents come from different ethnic backgrounds. His mother is half-Zambian and Zulu, whilst his father is from Dundee, KZN. Talking about his roots, the actor stated:
I have a mixed background. My father is a coloured from Dundee. My mother is half Zulu and half Zambian. I grew up in Joburg south and my life was very unstable. I know a bit of many languages, so you can imagine how confused I was growing up.
My great-grandma from my father's side was originally Portuguese. She had a bit of Angolan descent. They moved to Zambia, and that's how my grandma came about. She married a Zambian man, and that's how my Dad came about. My Dad married a Zulu woman, and that's how I came about. I am an African. It's a nice mix.
Source: Original
Educational background
Griffiths pursued formal education in television production, earning a certificate from AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy.
In 2022, he furthered his qualifications by completing a five-month Scriptwriting Training Programme administered by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission in Durban. He graduated on 6 November 2022.
He spoke to Daily Sun about his achievements, stating:
When I joined the industry, I intended to be in front of the camera for just 10 years and then start writing scripts. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and my schedule has been hectic. As we speak, I have been acting professionally for over 13 years. I'm already running behind, but I'm not regretting it. This course was an eye-opener for me.
Once I started, I realised how much I didn't know. I pitched an animated project. It's a cartoon play based on Zwide KaLanga. My plan is to release an animated feature film. Hopefully, I'll get funding.
Career
Raphael Griffiths is a versatile South African entertainer. He began his television career in 2009 as a presenter for the SABC2 teen program Qbase28, a role he held until the show's conclusion in 2012.
He further presented the SABC2 music show Music Moves Me (M3), which premiered on 12 March 2010 and has a second season starting on 21 December.
In 2014, he appeared as a celebrity guest on The Comedy Central Roast of Kenny Kunene, and in 2016, he co-presented the 10th edition of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).
Griffiths transitioned into acting in 2013 with his role as Vusi Mukwevho on the SABC2 soap opera Muvhango. He portrayed Vusi, the son of the central character, James Motsamai, for five years until his departure in 2018.
Following this, he joined the e.tv drama series Imbewu: The Seed as Zithulele Bhengu, the second son of oil magnate Zimele "Ngcolosi" Bhengu. Initially appearing in a recurring capacity during the first season, Griffiths became a main cast member from the second season onwards, starting on 16 April 2018.
Raphael is the writer and director of Zwide kaLanga. This is a historically inspired comic book series about the epic tales of the Ndwandwe paramount King, Zwide KaLanga and everyone connected to his legacy.
Beyond acting and presenting, Griffiths is also a talented singer. He has collaborated with notable South African artists such as gospel singer Rebecca Malope and hip-hop artist Da L.E.S.
Raphael Griffiths' battle with depression
As an untrained actor, Griffiths had many challenges when breaking into the television industry, but nothing prepared him for the backlash of critics on social media. The young, inexperienced actor was a victim of cyber-bullying following his breakout role as Vusi, and the hateful comments led him into a dark depression.
I was a young actor, and yes I admit I wasn't Leonardo DiCaprio, but social media was brutal and that took its toll on my confidence and self-esteem.
Since then, he has rebalanced his mindset and started and personally funded a project called Nightmares, which focuses on mental health issues expressed through dance, music, photography, and other art forms.
The actor, currently starring in Mzansi Magic's My Brother's Keeper, shared with Drum how much he has grown as a performer since his early days on SABC2's Muvhango. During that time, he faced cyberbullying and criticism regarding his acting abilities.
At the time I was young and the negative social media remarks took a toll on me, but I took some time to focus on improving myself. Thanks to Sindi Dlathu, who was my mentor there. They mentored me every step of the way and I will always appreciate the help they gave me. I couldn't have done it without them.
He also joined My Brother's Keeper, where seasoned actor Sdumo Mtshali warmly welcomed him. Sdumo played a significant role in helping him refine his craft and build the confidence he now radiates during our conversation.
I suffered from imposter syndrome and Sdumo always assured me that I had this, that to trust God in me. The conversations that he and I have had I will always cherish for the rest of my life. I want to do more live shows and live presenting, and having done it before, I wouldn't mind doing it again.
Fast facts
- He is obsessed with sneakers, owning over 40 pairs of Nike.
- He hopes to create a fashion brand someday.
- He is passionate about African Literature and writes poetry.
- He wanted to study Political Science after high school.
- He hosted his radio show, The Playground, on iGagasi FM.
- He has been rapping and singing since he was twelve.
FAQs
- What is Raphael Griffiths' age? The South African actor was born on 3 January 1992. He is 32 years old as of 2025.
- What is Raphael Griffiths' nationality? He is a South African national. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Is Raphael Griffiths Zimbabwean? He is not Zimbabwean. He is a South African actor of mixed heritage. His father is Zambian, and his mother is South African.
- What is the real name of VUSI from Muvhango? The real name of Vusi from Muvhango is Raphael Griffiths. He played the role of Vusi Mukwevho, the son of James Motsamai.
- Who is Raphael Griffiths' wife? As of now, he has not publicly disclosed being married or having a wife. He tends to keep his personal life private.
Raphael Griffiths is self-made in an industry requiring extensive training and networking. He has made a name for himself through sheer determination and inspired many others.
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Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
