Trevor Noah’s hands are still sweaty as we meet in his dressing room at Carnival City.
The veins under his chin throb as the adrenalin races through his system.
He was the final act, the curtain closer, the grand finale at the star-studded Bafunny Bafunny comedy tour, and he just whipped out the “K” word in front of 3 500 people.
Yet he still left them applauding wildly and screaming for more.
South Africa’s most loved stand-up comic can get away with anything, it seems.
“I don’t limit myself.
“I just speak what’s on my mind,” he says bluntly.
He’s wearing a black fitted suit and a designer white T-shirt like a hero in Miami Vice.
Noah recently returned after almost four months performing in cities across America.
“I missed friends and family, that’s it,” says Noah. “It’s fine though, I have my gadgets.”
In America they didn’t know the respect, and the audiences, he commands in South Africa.
At just 27, Noah is unanimously viewed as not only his generation’s best but South Africa’s most successful comedian yet.
But he feels he has yet to peak.
“I still have a long to way to go and a lot to learn,” he says.
Fluent in six of our 11 languages, he speaks to a lot of South Africans. As if that’s not enough, now he’s studying German.
Starting out with cameo roles on shows like the SABC3 soapie Isidingo at 18, Noah went on to host his own radio show on Yfm called Noah’s Ark.
In 2007 he dropped the radio show and acting to focus on his comedy.
Fellow comedian Eugene Khoza is sitting on a chair in the corner.
They are discussing what worked in their sets and what could have been better.
It soon becomes clear that, for Noah, comedy isn’t a joke. He knows the business and he constantly works to perfect his art. He talks about comedy with the formality of an academic and has the ability to make people laugh down to a science.
His advice to young comedians: “Be funny. Know that there will be many roadblocks and hurdles. Don’t think of yourself as anything less than any other comedian.”
With his own show Tonight With Trevor Noah, being the face of the Cell C network as “customer experience officer”, and having made appearances in films, the question has to be asked; where to go when you have reached the top?
“I live life as it comes. I don’t know where to from here,” says Noah.
Favourite TV show/series? Family Guy
Most embarrassing moment on stage or off?I always get embarrassed when playing football.
Worst habit? I slurp my drink.
Favourite food? Anything spicy.
What makes you angry? Government officials who just don’t seem to care.
Define your style? Unique.
Best day of your life? It’s still coming.
What is your ultimate night out? Performing at three comedy clubs in one night.
When was the last time you cried?Last month when I watched the Ayrton Senna documentary.
If you could have three people at a dinner party (late or alive) who would you invite? Larry David, Eddie Murphy and Michael Jackson.
Describe your parents?One is female and the other isn’t. But they both love me.
What do you think about living in South Africa?Watch my comedy and you’ll have the answer.
What irritates you about this country? Lack of service delivery and a sense of entitlement.
Where is your favourite part of South Africa?Cape Town
What are you listening to at the moment? TV.
What led you to comedy? Fate
Name three things your fans don’t know about you? I’m secretive, private and evasive.
What don’t you like about yourself?My appetite
What is your earliest childhood memory? Being stuck in a lift.
Who makes you laugh? Too many people to mention.
What is the wildest thing you have ever done? Gone to work overseas.
Favourite day of the week and why?Saturday. Chilled but still awake.
What was the last film you watched?Senna
What car do you drive? I ride a scooter.
When was the last time you went out of the country?Two weeks ago.
Describe your life in three words... Interesting, fun, blessed.
Where would you like to be in three years’ time? Alive, on stage.
Who and what inspires you?I love what I do.
If you hadn’t been a comedian what would you have been? A radio DJ.
What is your view on politics? Refer to my DVD.
Do you have a favourite item of clothing? Shirts.
Your funniest joke that our readers can repeat to their friends? Refer to DVD. - Sunday Independent