The tourism video, for what was previously rumoured to be R33m, has sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Featuring, arguably, South Africa’s most famous stand-up comedian, Trevor Noah, along with a rhino-mating scene, Mzansi’s latest tourism branding advert is generating an eclectic range of reactions from viewers across the country.
The five-minute-long Come to SA video clip was aired for the first time on the YouTube channel of the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA) on Thursday, 9 November.
In September, it was widely reported that the government would allegedly pay the former American talk show host an eye-watering R33 million to feature in the advert.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, however, categorically denied any government involvement, saying the bill would be footed by TBCSA.
The full cost and exactly who the individual funders were, have not been established although The Citizen can confirm the promo ad was indeed initiated by TBCSA as stated on its website.
On 8 September, TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa broke the news of a possible collaboration with Noah:
“The Tourism Business Council of South Africa has been in talks with renowned comedian Trevor Noah and other personalities, to collaborate with us on campaigns that will create a wider presence for destination South Africa to international markets.
“This is in line with the sector’s ambition to grow tourism arrivals in the country to 15.6 million over the next decade.”
“If and when the parties ultimately agree on a common strategy, the deal will be wholly funded by TBCSA,” the CEO said.
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‘Can we stop saying R33m’ – Noah
The Citizen previously reported on Noah’s reaction to the allegations when he appeared as a guest on Clement Manyathela’s Radio 702 show.
The comedian, who has garnered widespread acclaim for his recent South African leg of his worldwide stand-up comedy tour, refuted claims of a R33-million government payment cheque.
“I’m dealing with a private body of hotels and Airbnbs because you know that coming out of [the] Covid-19 [pandemic], South Africa has had the lowest rebound rate of any nation in the world that needs tourism as a big part of its GDP,” he said.
He denied reports that he received millions in payment for the advert.
“First and foremost, can we stop saying R33m. It’s not R33m … it’s not even close to R33m. I do not take money from government … there’s no tender.”
WATCH: SA tourism advert with Trevor Noah
In the video, Noah provides witty answers to questions from travellers. Take a look:
Mzansi reacts
Viewers seemingly got more than they bargained for when two rhinos are shown “giving it horns”:
@MrTopDollarAuto: “Those rhinos definitely got a share of the R33m”.
@TerrenceSitheb1: “Why did he have to show them rhinos having fun? Usibukisa nabantu.”
@Hloni051: “Did you also see that?”
Amid a flood of praise for the “dope ad”, there were also some reactions to the alleged R33 million spent:
@AkanimiltonM: “R33m for this ad?”
@MUCH1Zim: “Okay, but R33million? That’s like 66 houses in Protea Glen … mmmh. But good that it will sell the country.”
@VonSchalk: R33 million for basic knowledge.
Some social media users commented that Noah forgot to mention the load shedding, crime and corruption, while one user compared it to a Nando’s advert.
@1Swerve_: “He forgot to mention corruption, we have that too.”
@RoryMorningstaa: “It looks like a Nando’s Ad.”
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