South Africa’s charming household name

As Rajesh Kumar on SABC 3's flagship daily soap Isidingo, he’s a household name but there’s a depth to Jack Devnarain that is rare in people who make it to the big time. Perhaps it’s life experience one can read in the subtle smile and soulful eyes of this cop turned actor, speaker, celebrity, MC.

Unable to suppress his talent, Jack started his acting career while working as a cop in Durban and was soon touring the Indian community theatre circuit with colorful musical comedies.

Television was a natural progression and, in 1998,  he swapped his badge and gun for the small screen  and acting  roles in drama and comedy productions until the day he landed the role of Rajesh Kumar in Isidingo. In film, he has worked with Hollywood names like Val Kilmer and Stephen Hopkins and iconic Indian art film director Shyam Benegal.

Even as a cop, his talent for the stage led to his becoming the preferred host for prestigious civil  events, like the Mayor's Awards for Bravery, the Batho Pele Service Excellence Awards and the Durban City Stars Awards. Corporate events with Jack as MC now include the best of the best, including the Standard Bank Blue Star Awards, the ABSA Prestige Awards and SABS Awards,    BHP Billiton, Shoprite Checkers and, or course, regular gigs for the South African Police Service.  

Jack is committed to community based initiatives and is involved in various cultural, youth and charity events.  He supports fundraising events around Johannesburg and is an ambassador to CHOC (Children’s Cancer Association). His largest audience to date has been at the Newtown Diwali Festival in Johannesburg, which he has MC'd three years in succession since its inception in 2005, and has entertained a record breaking crowd of fifty thousand people.

His popularity has expanded to the African continent and his work on TV and film has been viewed as far afield as Zambia, Canada and India. He enjoys a high media profile as a personality and was awarded the People Magazine Crystal Award for Best Soapie Actor and Favorite Actor award at the You Magazine Spectacular in 2006. He is a nominee in the South African Film and TV Awards (SAFTA) for 2008 in the People’s Choice category of ‘Best Hero’.

Apart from acting and working as an MC, Jack also delivers motivational talks for corporate groups and, drawing on his experiences in the Police Department, presents demonstrations on crime awareness.  He is closely involved with event staging and live entertainment around the country and promotes the hugely popular SA Strongman National Series.