Trevor Noah returns home with nationwide comedy festival in South Africa

Trevor Noah is bringing his focus back home, unveiling an ambitious comedy initiative aimed at reigniting South Africa’s live entertainment scene and spotlighting local talent.

The global star made the surprise announcement during a closed media briefing, where journalists were initially kept in the dark about what to expect.

Speculation filled the room before Noah finally stepped on stage alongside Eugene Khoza and Ntosh Madlingozi to reveal what they described as a major shift for the country’s comedy landscape.

The project, officially titled South Africa’s Festival of Comedy, is being positioned as more than just another event.

Backed by Savanna, the initiative aims to rebuild and reimagine stand-up comedy following years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a revival. A renaissance of South Africa comedy. Making it what it was, while focusing on the future,” Eugene explained.

Rather than following the traditional festival format, the concept introduces a fresh approach, one that treats comedy like a national team, complete with a curated lineup blending established names and emerging voices.

Noah takes on the role of lead curator, working alongside Eugene as vice captain and Ntosh as coach, all with the goal of nurturing and showcasing talent on a larger scale.

“Serving you the finest comedians that you may not know about yet. Giving them a platform,” the team shared.

For Noah, the vision is clear: bring audiences back to live comedy in a way that feels immersive, exciting and uniquely South African.

“It’s all about stand up comedy. A physical comedy show… there is nothing like it. A grand scale of stand up comedy that leaves you laughing until you cannot breathe,” he said.

The festival will roll out across the country over several months, with activations, performances and announcements leading up to major shows later in the year.

Pretoria’s SunBet Arena is set to host the opening in September, followed by another major showcase at GrandWest Casino in Cape Town.

Beyond the headline shows, the organisers are urging audiences to support the broader comedy ecosystem, from smaller gigs to rising performers.

“Don’t wait for the big shows. Go to the smaller shows too. Support comedians. Make comedy funny again,” Eugene added.

Tickets for South Africa’s Festival of Comedy are expected to go on sale on 29 April, marking the start of what organisers hope will be a new era for South African stand-up.

South Africa needs to laugh and with Savanna I’m bringing just the team to do it!

Bafunny Bafunny is South Africa’s National Team of Comedy. 5 Shows, 3 Cities September 2026!

I’ve got Eugene Khoza confirmed with many more local and international comedians to be announced.… pic.twitter.com/ukpnD5BnPG

— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) April 27, 2026