Comedian, writer, producer: podcast host and all-round stand-up guy, Trevor Noah’s status is no joke – especially when he’s using his influence. To better society.
Flashing lights, red-carpet appearances, tabloids chasing his dating life, and South Africa eagerly cheering him on, Trevor Noah may be an entertainment A-lister but he’s staying true to his community. He became globally famous as the host of The Daily Show for seven years, but for his fellow South Africans, he’s the funny guy in the Cell C and Nando’s adverts and running the stand-up comedy scene. But he’s more than a handsome face with sarcasm up his sleeve. He’s also building up education in southern Africa.
A hero’s journey
Garnering two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Series (2023) and Outstanding Short Form Variety Series for The Daily Show, after racking up 18 nominations, Trevor’s journey to America started in 2011 – in a Toyota Siyaya taxi (as the driver, not a passenger). Fast-forward a few months, his taxi was stolen and he got into comedy – thanks to a dare from a friend. After his first gig at a local nightclub, Trevor decided that making people laugh and smile was worth the hustle.
“I always felt an innate joy making people laugh. I always loved performing. And then somebody paid me to do it—as a profession! But I loved it before I earned any money, so I think it was always going to be my natural course,” he told Harvard Business Review.
Since the ZA comedy scene was quite limited, Trevor worked to get his name known internationally, performing in places like the UK and Canada. Meanwhile, he was also making waves with projects like his doccie-style production The Daywalker (2009), M-Net talk show Tonight with Trevor Noah (2010), one-man show The Racist (2012) and his Showtime special Trevor Noah: African American (2012).
Then, in 2014, we heard our Jozi boy was a special correspondent for the illustrious US talk show The Daily Show, hosted by Jon Stewart. When he left, Trevor stepped into the spotlight. His salary sky-rocketed, he was able to buy property in New York, and he hung out with a host of celebrities. Seven years later, he quit the biggest gig of his life to pursue his first love: stand-up comedy, to travel and tour more. He missed the connection with ordinary people.
Deeply rooted
Besides his live comedy, Trevor has been lauded for his writing. In 2016, he released his autobiography, Born a Crime, which became a New York Times bestseller. It focused on growing up in South Africa and his parents, whose interracial love story was built on fighting against all odds during apartheid.
Now he is releasing a children’s picture book, Into the Uncut Grass (illustrated by Sabina Hahn). It tells the story of a young boy’s journey, exploring a magical landscape as he learns about the world around him. Coupled with Trevor’s signature wit and imagination, it’s a tale for all ages and imparts valuable lessons and words of wisdom.
Announcing its launch in October 2024 on Instagram, he wrote: “I’ve wanted to do a picture book for a long time… I hope that you enjoy reading it at least half as much as I enjoyed writing it.”
Living with his grandmother in Soweto, Trevor relied on his imagination to fuel his enjoyment, he said in an interview with US initiative Giving Compass. When he didn’t have a real toy car, he used to imagine the bricks he played with to be like those Hot Wheels cars other children enjoyed. He believes that any child can lead a fulfilling life if their mind is nurtured – no matter their circumstances.
Right: Students from the Khulani Schools Programme
Look to the future
Beyond the glitz of his career, Trevor remains a humble boy born to struggling parents, who is now dedicated to uplifting the youth. In 2018, the Trevor Noah Foundation was launched – its mission to provide quality educational facilities, infrastructure and workshops to historically disadvantaged schools across southern Africa.
“The foundation is something that I always wanted to start, to contribute to what I feel is the greatest gift I ever received: learning. I love education. I love all the teachers that got me to where I am today. I love giving kids an opportunity. Education was the one thing my mother invested in because it’s honestly the seed from which everything grows,” Trevor told Giving Compass.
“With the generous support of donors, partners and an amazing team in Joburg, we’ve renovated schools, trained young teachers in leadership, increased access to computers and digital skills, and provided much-needed career guidance. While we’re proud to have directly impacted the lives of over 500 teachers, 6 000 learners and countless families within communities, there is still so much to do,” he says.
Through his commitment to bettering society, Trevor has proved to the world that it’s a matter of attitude and giving a voice to the voiceless. He may be a man who was ‘born a crime’, yet he is set to change the world – the South African way.
Goals and mission of the Trevor Noah foundation
- To empower and equip educators with tools that deliver 21st-century education.
- To create a global network of partner schools and organisations that create collaborative solutions.
- To implement positive change in communities through shared learning, support and ownership.
The Khulani School Project started with supporting one school in Johannesburg that catered to orphaned youth. Since then, the Foundation has conducted a successful pilot impact study, launched a leadership training initiative in partnership with YALI, and onboarded three new Khulani School partners, aimed at providing skills such coding, robotics and AI, opening a digital learning centre at each site.
The Faranani Infrastructure Project (FIP) is a 12-month project aimed at getting young people involved in the community and equipping them with work and life skills. The aim is to have a direct impact on 50 000 youth through 25 school partnerships by 2025, improving the literacy and maths rates, and the well-being of the school community.
In 2021, the Foundation partnered with YouthBuild SA (YBSA), donating R8 million to FIP to enhance the educational foundation of schools in Soweto. “In South Africa alone, more than 2 500 young adults have been served by YBSA, and this incredible partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation will help them solidify their training and extend their reach even further,” YBSA president and CEO, John Valverde, told News24.
Words by Saadiqah Schroeder
Photos: Gallo/Getty Images, supplied
Also read: How these three local creatives celebrate their heritage
