Cape Town — South African comedy legend, Trevor Noah, has received mixed reactions to his new tourism advert that went viral on social media this past weekend.
It was revealed in September that Trevor was offered R33m for the video to promote tourism to South Africa. Just a few days later, Patricia De Lille denied that the advert does not involve any public funds.
According to the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) – who sponsored the deal – the amount the SA-born comedian was paid was never confirmed, The South African said.
The private tourism body has since disputed the deal, claiming it never confirmed nor denied the comedian’s R33m payday.
Your ‘places to visit next list’ just got a new #1 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🫶🏽 #WelcomeToSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/K4wLZddh0J
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) November 12, 2023
TBCSA CEO, Tshifhiwa Tshivhenga, revealed that the R33, amount came from the Parliament Portfolio Committee, who should be liable to answer any questions pertaining to the amount stipulated.
“We did this deal with Trevor Noah. He is the talent for this. He got a fee and a very small amount of a fee to do this. As a star whose appeal is international, Trevor Noah is definitely not paid R33m. That’s a myth and those people who have said that they should be able to answer those questions,” he said.
He also claimed that Trevor “gifted” his services and that the deal struck between the two parties was straightforward.
Trevor also denied being offered the money from the SA Tourism board, saying he did it in an effort to boost SA’s tourism.
“First of all, there is nothing with SA tourism. No one from SA Tourism approached me; there’s nothing from government. I was talking to hotel groups, cause you know South Africa, we need to boost our tourism.”
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Picture: Instagram/@trevornoah
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
