Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Gran remembers naughty but nice Trevor
Noah grew up in shack in Soweto and proved to be a real handful
TREVOR Noah was as naughty and as mischievous as any young child.
A 6-year-old, living with his grandmother Nomalizo Noah in Soweto, he would dig a hole under a locked gate, then crawl through it to get outside and run in the street.
“His energy was something else. You would place a glass on the table and he’d hide it just to confuse you. Life was always about chasing him around. But I was a Springbok in my day and always caught up with him,” the 88-year-old grandmother recalled this week, laughing at her fond memories of her grandson at her Orlando East home.
Nomalizo described Noah as a talkative boy who was never shy and loved the outdoors.
It was a challenge for her to live with him in her shack back then. He had a white father and looked different to her, and many other people in the community.
She had her work cut out for her, but she did everything to protect him, despite all the mischief he made.
“I locked the gate most of the time, but Trevor was always a step ahead of me. He’d dig a hole under the gate and crawl through it. I would hear children yell ‘ lekgoa!’ (white person) and then I would know, Trevor is out of the yard.” around. That’s all I like.”
Nomalizo said Noah had asked her not to sell a coal stove she has in her house. It is the same one she used when he was growing up.
He said it reminded him of his childhood.
Although she has not seen Noah perform live on stage, and doesn’t know The Daily Show, she hopes to see what all the fuss is about when her grandson makes his debut.
Noah’s mother, Nom- buyiselo Noah, lives with his younger brothers in Highlands North in Joburg.
Andrew Shingange, 22, said he heard the announcement on the radio.
“I’m happy for him, really proud,” he said.
But 12-year-old Isaac must surely be the most thrilled.
“I’m on top of the world. When I heard about it I punched my fist in the air,” he said.
Nombuyiselo said Noah first left home at age 17.
“I am not a cooking mother. I’m a builder, a gardener, a painter. I don’t know what he likes eating. I have three boys from my womb and many from my heart, head and hands. There are two kinds of mothers – mother duck and mother eagle. I am the latter one.
“I love my son, I am so proud of him.”.
At Savoy Estate, in northern Joburg, Noah is a legend.
People here remember him as a teenager who wore his hair in cornrows and drove up and down Aintree Avenue.
Neighbour Amanda Zwane, 20, said he was always very friendly and greeted everyone.
“The first time I saw him he was walking to his mother’s house up the road. I never interacted with him but he always had a smile on his face.”
One person who hopes to serve Noah a meal again is Carol Kubayi, a cashier at the Nando’s in Savoy, who said she last served him in September.
“We usually serve him in the late mornings. He’s always joking around. He’s a good guy and doesn’t demand any attention.
“When he comes he dines with all the members from Micasa (the band) and they laugh away about anything and everything.
“I’m happy for him. I think he is the right person for the job, and wish him well.”