Trevor Noah stars in a tourism promo video.
Image via TBCSA
‘A small amount’: Tourism body denies Trevor Noah R33m ad pay
The Tourism Body Council of South Africa insists Trevor Noah ‘gifted’ his services for a promo video, rumoured to gave costed R33 million.
Trevor Noah stars in a tourism promo video.
Image via TBCSA
Trevor Noah has been praised for his glowing invitation for tourists to visit South Africa in a big-budget advert that went viral on social media over the weekend.
But 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.
This, despite the Portfolio Committee on Tourism claiming in September that the figure was as high as R33 million.
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DID TREVOR NOAH RECEIVE R33 MILLION OR MORE?
According to a media statement by the Portfolio Committee on Tourism back in September, Trevor Noah was offered R33 million to film a promotional video released over the weekend.
However, Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille claimed there was no cause for public concern as the TBCSA would fund the venture.
The private tourism body has since disputed the deal, claiming it never confirmed nor denied the comedian’s R33 million payday.
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TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhenga told the SABC: “We have never come out and said we’re paying him R33 million. These were reports that came from the Parliament Portfolio Committee, which should be in a position to answer those particular questions.
He continued: “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 R33 million. That’s a myth and those people who have said that they should be able to answer those questions.
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‘A GIFT’
Tshivhenga claimed that Trevor Noah actually “gifted” his services.
He continued: “We have a deal that is very straightforward. He’s a well-known brand in the world, and his fees were actually a gift to us for him to agree to do this.”
‘HELP MY OWN COUNTRY’
Trevor Noah’s interview with 702 in September reaffirmed TBCSA’s claims.
Speaking to Clement Manyathela, he said: “My goal is to be part of building up what I consider is the best nation in the world…I’m very passionate about how we market South Africa”.
Trevor also rubbished reports that the government or taxpayer money would be funding the transaction.
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He added: “I’m dealing with a private body of hotels and Airbnbs. Coming out of COVID, South Africa has had the lowest rebound rate of any nation in the world that needs tourism as a big part of its GDP. We can’t afford to not have tourists in this country,
He continued: “That’s terrible for us. It affects jobs; it affects our economy in a big way…I helped Swiss tourism. How can I not help my own country?
