Patricia Noah is the mother of the successful comedian and TV host Trevor Noah. Throughout multiple interviews with Trevor, you can see how he talks about his mother and the effect she had on his childhood.
Even in his book, “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” he talks about their special relationship.
So, who is this Patricia Noah?
In this article, you’ll discover more about the woman behind shaping the character of such a bright star. Keep reading to explore her life and the struggles she went through with her son to become the man he is today.
Patricia Noah: Personal Profile
Patricia Noah is a strong and caring mom who faced tough times in South Africa. She’s known for her bravery in speaking out against the corrupt apartheid regime in her country.
Here’s a closer look at Patricia’s profile summary.
- Name: Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah
- Date of Birth: September 24, 1964
- Place of Birth: South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Ethnicity: Xhosa
- Current Place of Residence: Johannesburg, South Africa
- Parents: Nomalizo Frances Noah and Temperance Noah
- Spouse: Sfiso Khoza
- Children: Three children (Trevor Noah, Andrew Shingange, and Isaac Shingange)
Patricia Noah: Early Life
Patricia was born in 1964 in South Africa, descending from an ethnic group named Xhosa. It’s part of the larger Nguni ethnic group. Primarily, this community speaks the language, Khosa, which uses a set of click sounds. Such a feature sets that language apart from others.
At a young age, Patricia was an outcast middle child sent to live with her father. Yet, shortly after, she moved to live with her aunt in their Xhosa homeland.
Sadly, Patricia stayed away from her immediate family for about 12 years. She spent those years working on the barely fertile family farm with 14 other cousins.
Luckily for her, Patricia was able to receive education in a missionary school in the Transkei region. Over there, she learned to write and read in English. Such a skill has proved later to be a great asset in shaping her future.
After finishing her missionary school, Patricia moved to Soweto, where she enrolled in a secretarial school. This was a brave step, as black women weren’t allowed to work as secretaries during the time.
To support herself, Patricia worked in a local factory offering meal compensation. Following that, she secretly moved to Johannesburg.
Being a country run under a system of institutionalized racial segregation, living in Johannesburg as a black person was illegal. So, you can only imagine the obstacles Patricia had to face back then.
Eventually, Patricia was able to run a successful business in clothes and accessories manufacturing.
Patricia Noah: Marriage Life
In Johannesburg, Patricia met Robert Noah, who lived in the same apartment building as her. Despite the law banning interracial relationships, the two fell in love and ended up having a child together. Then came Trevor.
During Trevor’s childhood, Patricia managed to hide him from the public eye. She either kept him inside most of the time or pretended to be the family maid when going with him in public. Otherwise, would have faced imprisonment for five years.
As for Robert, he was too afraid of the consequences. Therefore, he tried to stay away to keep the family safe. Later on, Robert changed his mind and found a way to see his son, meeting in the park late and spending some time together.
However, when Trevor started to recognize his father and call him daddy, things got a bit complicated.
Eventually, Patricia met Ngisaveni Abel Shingange. The couple got married, initiating a new chapter of abuse in Patricia’s and Trevor’s life. As for Robert, he moved away, losing contact with the family for many years.
Together, Patricia and Abel had two sons. Yet, they got divorced shortly after, and Patricia went on to marry Sfiso Khoza.
That said, the toxic relationship with Abel didn’t end with their divorce. Long after, in 2009, miraculously survived a fatal shooting by her ex-husband Abel. Although one of the bullets made its way into the back of her head, Patricia walked out of it alive.
Patricia Noah: Being a Mother to Trevor
As a mother to Trevor, Patricia was determined to give him the highest possible quality of life that would otherwise be out of their class reach. As such, she taught him English as a first language, encouraging him to read all the time.
Yet, to her, such encouragement translated into beating as a form of tough love. She was also a quite religious woman, taking Trevor to three different churches every Sunday.
During Trevor’s childhood, he and Patricia moved to the suburbs of Eden Park. Then, they moved again to the white suburbs of Highland North, where they were the only black people besides the maids of white families.
When the apartheid era ended, following Nelson Mandela’s activities, Trevor pursued his passion for comedy. Later on, he became a famous stand-up comedian in South Africa and gained international recognition.
In 2015, Trevor took over The Daily Show as a successor to the famous TV host John Stewart. Consequently, he became the first black man to host such a popular show.
Besides being a successful TV host, Trevor is also an author. In 2016, he released his memoir with the name “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.” He dedicated the book to his mother.
Although she wasn’t able to give him the best life, she managed to teach him to dream big. Even during apartheid, she taught him that success isn’t only reserved for white people.
As Trevor explains in his book, “As a kid, I understood that people were different colors, but in my head, white and black and brown were like types of chocolate. Dad was the white chocolate, mom was the dark chocolate, and I was the milk chocolate. But we were all just chocolate.
I didn’t know any of it had anything to do with “race.” I didn’t know what race was. My mother never referred to my dad as white or to me as mixed.
So when the other kids in Soweto called me “white,” even though I was light brown, I just thought they had their colors mixed up, like they hadn’t learned them properly. “Ah, yes, my friend. You’ve confused aqua with turquoise. I can see how you made that mistake. You’re not the first.”
Patricia Noah: Her Character Traits as Described by Trevor Noah
In Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood,” Patricia is portrayed as a strong, resilient, and loving mother. She’s a fantastic woman who faced many challenges posed by apartheid in her home country.
On top of that, she also came head-to-head with the social stigma and the legal consequences of being in a mixed-race relationship.
Growing up in a society that deemed their existence illegal, Patricia did her best to protect Trevor from any dangers. Even if it meant keeping him hidden indoors for extended periods, she did that.
Another extraordinary trait in Patricia is her resourcefulness. Despite the limited resources, she found ways to provide for her family. Moreover, she was able to make ends meet by engaging in activities such as selling goods in the market.
In spite of being tough on Trevor, he admitted feeling the love and support behind it. Throughout the hardships, she remained a source of encouragement for her son, growing his sense of self-worth.
Not only that, but Patricia also has a huge sense of humor. The mother-and-son duo would always use humor as a coping mechanism, turning tough times into moments of laughter. So, after all, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
Patricia Noah: Her Other Two Sons
Patricia’s son, Trevor Noah, is the most famous person in the family. Yet, she had two other boys with the abusive ex-husband Abel Shingange. These boys are Andrew and Isaac Shingange.
Principally, there isn’t much information about Patricia’s two sons. However, it’s known that Isaac attended Maryvale College in Johannesburg and currently has a strong bond with his brother, Trevor Noah.
As for Andrew, he was also born and raised in Johannesburg. Probably, he went to the same school as his brother, Isaac. He keeps a low profile when it comes to his profession. Nonetheless, there are rumors about him being happily married with children now.
Patricia Noah: Current Life
Patricia Noah is currently residing in Johannesburg, South Africa. She’s running her own business and maintains a close relationship with her son, Trevor.
Despite Trevor being a celebrity now, Patricia isn’t that impressed by it. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, when the latter asked about how Trevor’s mom feels about him being famous, he answered, “She doesn’t care!”
Following that, Trevor humorously mentions that Jesus is the only celebrity Patricia cares about.
Final Thoughts
Patricia Noah had a life full of ups and downs. From facing the challenges of apartheid in South Africa to supporting her family on her own, her story is one of determination and courage.
Despite the tough times she had, Patricia’s character traits of love, support, and resourcefulness shine through. Her influence on Trevor’s upbringing and success is evident in their current special bond he talked about in his book.
Finally, you can say that Patricia’s love and strength not only shaped her son’s future but also inspired many.