James grew up on a wine farm in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa, where his conservative and separatist parents, who were staunchly opposed to the liberal ideals of the time, raised him in a household that was vastly different from the liberal environment he would later come to embrace. Despite being the first liberal in his family, James' parents' views had a significant impact on his upbringing, particularly his relationship with his father, a strict Reformed Dutchman who disapproved of James' passion for theater.
The tension between James and his father eventually led to a compromise, where James agreed to participate in school sports in exchange for the freedom to choose his own studies. After completing his military service, James decided to pursue a career in the arts, focusing on acting, singing, dance, and even the flute. His natural talent and dedication quickly made him a prominent figure in South African theater, with notable performances in productions such as Charlotte's Web, My Fair Lady, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Aladdin, among others.
In addition to his theater work, James has also had a successful career in commercials and corporate promotional materials, appearing in advertisements and promos for well-known brands such as Ford, Toys 'R Us, and Compaq. However, his television credits in South Africa showcase a vastly different side of his acting abilities, as he often portrays menacing and even psychotic characters. James' breakthrough role came when he landed the part of Koobus Venter, the snarling and intimidating villain, in the 2009 science fiction hit District 9.
