Trevor Noah Launches Foundation in South Africa (and Discusses Vicki Momberg)

South African comedian Trevor Noah has launched his own Foundation – The Trevor Noah Foundation – in South Africa, following in the footsteps of fellow SA expat celebrity Charlize Theron.

Trevor launched the new Foundation on Wednesday. He is in South Africa – from his home in New York – for a two-day special television event ‘NationWild’, taping some of SA’s funniest young comedians.

Trevor was also in the South African news Wednesday for a video aired Tuesday in the USA (on his Daily Show’s Between the Scenes) in which he discusses the three-year sentencing in SA of former real estate agent Vicki Momberg for racism (watch below).

Trevor’s new non-profit organisation aims to equip orphans and vulnerable youth (of which there are an estimated 3.7 million in SA!) with the education, life skills, and social capital necessary to pursue further opportunities upon graduating high school… so that they do not slip through the cracks. His goal is to provide an environment where children have the best chance… which in turn gives society the best chance.

Today at the launch Trevor said it’s not about hand-outs, and described the assistance the Foundation would offer as being similar to when he was a youngster in Joburg and what he loved was that when he would break down in his mom’s car… “and we would be stuck on the side of the road, and people would come, and they would help us push the car – they didn’t push it for us, they didn’t fix it for us – they pushed with us, they helped us…”

Trevor said it’s always more inspiring to help those who are already pushing… and that’s what the Foundation will do. It will look for people who are already pushing, to help get things jump-started so they can continue on the journey to reach their dreams.

The Foundation is investing in three priority areas: psycho-social support, skills development, and career guidance… and will partner with government schools, starting with one. This particular school doesn’t need a lot of help. In 2012 its matrics achieved an over 90% pass rate. 

“We just want to enhance what they have,” he said. “We will take as long as it takes to get it right.”

The Foundation is already working with Microsoft on a digital skills program, and will be providing career guidance for the learners from Year 9.

“A lot of humility is required to understand the gravity of the situation,” said Trevor, “and how monumental it is…”

WATCH Trevor Noah on Vicki Momberg being sentenced to jail in South Africa, for racism