Trevor Noah, the famous South African comedian and host of The Daily Show, has recently starred in a new ad campaign for Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA) that aims to attract more visitors to his home country. The ad, which was rumoured to have cost R34 million to produce, has been released online and has received mixed reactions from the public.
The ad, which is about 95 seconds long, features Noah answering questions from people around the world who are curious about South Africa. He uses his trademark humour and wit to dispel some of the stereotypes and misconceptions about the country, while also showcasing its beauty and diversity. He invites the viewers to come and experience South Africa for themselves, saying “You won’t believe it until you see it”.
The ad also features stunning shots of some of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, such as Table Mountain, Island, Cape Town and Kruger National Park.
The ad, which was shared by radio personality Anele Mdoda on her X account, has gone viral and has generated a lot of buzz on social media. Many people have praised Noah for his humorous and positive portrayal of South Africa, and have expressed their desire to visit the country. Some have even joked that the ad made them want to “visit South Africa” even though they live there.
However, not everyone was impressed by the ad. Some have criticised it for being too focused on Cape Town and not representing the rest of the country. Others have questioned the cost and value of the ad, and whether it was worth paying Noah such a huge amount of money. Some have also accused Noah of being a “sellout” and of not doing enough for South Africa.
Noah himself has denied that he received R34 million for the ad, and has said that the figure was exaggerated by the media. He has also defended his involvement in the campaign, saying that he wanted to help his country and showcase its potential to the world. He has said that the ad was funded by the private sector, and not by the taxpayers.
The ad is part of a larger initiative by TOMSA to boost tourism in South Africa, which has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions. According to TOMSA, the ad will be aired on various platforms and markets, and will target potential travellers from the US, UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa. TOMSA hopes that the ad will inspire more people to visit South Africa and to discover its wonders and wonders.
