Trevor Noah puts SA comedy on the international radar

One of the biggest headlines for the month was the news that Trevor Noah was to take over the reins of satirical news show, The Daily Show. This was no April Fool's joke, as some feared, with DStv screening most of Noah's most recent shows again this weekend, as a reminder of his talent. People have been tweeting their favourite Trevor Noah lines ever since.

But it's not all jokes and witty puns. Noah also posts tweets like the following, which get the nation retweeting a storm:

If we can't find reasons to laugh then we will only ever cry. Happy and sad are two sides of the same coin.

- Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 13, 2015

Evert van der Veer, Head of Comedy Central Africa, tells us about the implications of a South African hosting such a globally popular show...

1. This is huge news, with the whole continent standing behind Trevor. When did you first hear the news?

Van der Veer: There were whisperings and rumours on social media over the final weekend of March, but we learned definitively on the afternoon of Monday, 30 March.

2. Sure it's been a flurry of planning since then. What's the impact for Comedy Central?

Van der Veer: This is huge news for Comedy Central - not just in SA but around the world. The Daily Show is a hugely influential show and it's a mark of great honour to hand the role to a South African comic. It helps put South African comedy firmly on the map. The eyes of the world will be watching Trevor as he makes his debut.

Trevor Noah at the podium during the Comedy Central roast of Steve Hofmeyr

3. Will Trevor still host his regular stand-up shows?

Van der Veer: We don't have any timeline for when this will happen or how it will work with his other commitments. Usually the host role is all-consuming and doesn't leave time for much else - Jon Stewart had to take a sabbatical when he wanted to direct his first movie, Rosewater.

4. Interesting. Will Trevor bring something new to the show, or stick with the tried and tested Daily Show format?

Van der Veer: It's too early to say how the show will evolve under Trevor's stewardship but it's safe to assume that Trevor will bring his own personal flavour and style to the show.

5. Sure he will. On the negative side, there's been some backlash on social media that Noah doesn't exactly have a huge Jewish following based on a joke he made. Is this a concern, especially as his predecessor Stewart is Jewish?

Van der Veer: Like many comedians, Trevor Noah pushes boundaries; he is provocative and spares no one, himself included. To judge him or his comedy based on a specific joke is unfair. Trevor is a talented comedian with a bright future at Comedy Central.