Trevor Noah has racked up more voyager miles than many ordinary folk due to his busy tour schedule. But when he is home, he wakes up at 2am to indulge in a newfound guilty pleasure: litchi Ice cream, he admits to Temo Mpodi in a recent interview.
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Trevor Noah has become a world star. Known for his strong opinions on world politics, he has become the voice of many citizens. Trevor is one of the most successful and adored comedians in the world; he was the host of the Emmy Award-winning “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central for seven years and this month, he launches a new book – “Into the Uncut Glass”.
However, it’s not all serious comedy business for Trevor. Like many of us, he also has a guilty pleasure. Trying to get a peek at what’s in his fridge that he isn’t supposed to be eating, it turns out we are all ice cream lovers! It’s his guilty pleasure. He has a stash of litchi-flavoured ice cream that he is not supposed to be eating. “I find it hard to resist, especially late at night,” he admits. I mean, who hasn’t had that moment of weakness in front of the freezer in the dead of night? Next time you find yourself sneaking a scoop at 2 am, don’t run away. “Just bask in all that ice cream glory and let all your worries off.”
While he lives in the States now, with property in New York and Los Angeles, he is still very proudly South African. A big favourite of his is the South African bunny chow – a fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry and a serving of salad on the side. It originated among the Indian South African population in Durban.
If he had to opportunity to sell bunny chows on the streets on New York, this would be it, he says. “It’s perfect street food—flavourful, filling, and portable. Plus, it’s a unique taste of South African cuisine that I think people in America would love.”
He considers himself a global citizen and he certainly is, but he spends most of his time in the Big Apple, New York City, an urban jungle where dreams are born. “I still feel a strong connection to Johannesburg, I was born and raised there, but NYC has a unique energy and diversity that I love,” Trevor explains, confirming what we all know: home will always be home, no matter where life throws you.
Trevor has been hard at work for the last couple of months finishing the last chapters of his latest book. It centres around a young boy who feels misunderstood. He retains the “ubuntu” core value that is rooted in South Africa, which embodies the quality of being human and showing humanity to others.
“The book is about a young boy who, feeling misunderstood at home, decides to run away with his toy bear. Together, they embark on a magical adventure in an imaginary garden. Along the way, they encounter various challenges that teach them about conflict resolution and the importance of understanding and getting along with others,” he tells us. Something that every person can relate to. A timely book where the importance of seeking harmony and building genuine connections is a vital need irrespective of national identity, culture, colour, norms, values and age.
The message of the book is about the power of empathy and understanding. He adds, “It’s about learning to resolve conflicts peacefully and recognising the value of different perspectives. That even in moments of disagreement, there’s always a way to find common ground and work things out together.” He believes we can truly make the world a better place and be better citizens.
If given R10 million today, he says, he would invest it. “The first thing I would do is invest a significant portion in educational initiatives and scholarships for underprivileged children in South Africa. Education has the power to transform lives, and I’d love to contribute to creating more opportunities for young people.” It’s heartwarming to see someone at the top keen to pull his nation up.
There is so much Trevor Noah has already achieved, but are there more goals? “I’m passionate about continuing to create meaningful content, whether it’s through books, comedy, or other media. I also want to expand my philanthropic efforts and make a positive impact in more communities. And, of course, I’m always looking to learn and grow personally and professionally. There’s a lot left to explore and achieve.” IB