South Africa is in uproar over a proposal to pay Emmy-winning comedian Trevor Noah 33 million rand ($1.7m, £1.3m) to promote the country as a tourist destination.
Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s minister of tourism, informed the legislature of plans to pay Noah to appear in a five-minute commercial for the country’s tourism.
Ms. de Lille claims that the South African comedian and TV host will not be paid with public funds, despite the opposition of many MPs to the idea.
She said he would receive payment from the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, an umbrella group that represents the nation’s travel and tourism stakeholders, using private funds.
On social media, some South Africans have also criticized the proposed deal, calling it pointless. Others contend that the timing is inappropriate because many South Africans are experiencing financial hardship.
“We expect the government not to waste money we don’t have on useless things. We don’t care what he is, the country is in shambles. No electricity, no employment but they have 33 million to give to Trevor Noah. What has Trevor Noah contributed to the betterment of this country,” one Twitter user asked.
Other South Africans, however, counter that Noah’s Hollywood star power might increase South Africa’s tourism.
Noah and tennis great Roger Federer, who share South African and Swiss nationalities, starred in a campaign to advertise Switzerland as a travel destination in March of this year.
Source-BBC
