Robert Noah owned one of the first integrated restaurants in Johannesburg during apartheid. He used to work as an international chef in Canada and New York and relocating to South Africa in the 1980s was one of his business ventures. He went there to oversee the establishment of a chain of Swiss-owned supermarkets.
He is famous as the father of one of South Africa’s most successful TV hosts, commentator, and former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah. Robert and Patricia Nombuyiselo, Trevor’s mother had the TV host as a way of revolting against the apartheid government, hence they were never married.
While growing up, Trevor Noah and his father had an estranged relationship. The former once thought his father never loved him until he reunited with him in Switzerland.
Meet Robert Noah, Trevor Noah’s Father
Robert Noah migrated to South Africa in the 1980s as a 46-year-old with plans of overseeing the establishment of a chain of Swiss supermarkets in South Africa. He later opened the first integrated restaurant which has a license to also serve black people.
Although his business was a huge success, quite a number of white people petitioned the government to close it down. Some of the allegations against Robert was that he did not keep the restaurant tidy and later on, he was made to make separate toilets for black and whites which he refused.
Trevor Noah’s father later closed the restaurant due to several allegations and disturbances from the apartheid government.
Trevor Noah’s Parents’ Relationship was Illegal
While working in Johannesburg, Robert and Patricia met in Hillbrow. At that time, Patricia, who had a moderate level of education, had a white-collar job and was living in the same building as Robert.
The two soon became friends despite a huge age gap. Patricia was 26 while Robert was 46. They discreetly started spending time together and in no time, Patricia suggested they have a child. Robert reportedly knew it was her subtle way of rebelling against the authorities so he declined.
However, she continued to pressurize him until he gave in to her demands and got pregnant. Patricia eventually gave birth to Trevor but due to his mixed color, she had to lie to the doctors about his paternity.
To avoid going to jail and losing her child, Patricia moved away from where she was initially staying to a new apartment. She also ensured that Robert was not involved in the child’s upbringing. On his own, reports claim he never wanted anything to do with Patricia and the child but he later had a change of mind and went looking for them.
Trevor Noah’s father later found them and the parents arranged on how to always meet with raising eyebrows. The pair arrange meetings in a park for them to see from a safe distance. This later stopped when Trevor started referring to Robert as “Daddy” in public.
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Robert Noah and Trevor Noah’s Estranged Relationship
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According to reports, Robert and Trevor had a smooth relationship until he was 13. This was due to the fact that Trevor’s mother got married to another man and her husband did not want her to keep in touch with him. Robert later moved to Cape Town. Trevor Noah was mainly raised by his mother and grandmother.
Moving forward, Robert got a letter from Trevor through the Swiss Embassy. This was a result of Patricia’s advice to her son. The famed comedian would later get an invitation to Switzerland. Apparently, Robert had been following his son’s comedy career.
In 2022, the former Daily Show host visited Switzerland for the first time. During an interview on YouTube, Trevor Noah revealed before he met his father, he thought his father did not love him but that changed after he saw him in Switzerland and realized it was a “Swiss thing”. He also added that he had to learn German in order to communicate with his father, who also has German ancestry.
From what we gathered, Robert Noah has been described as an anti-racist who promoted equal treatment of people during the apartheid. He is reportedly a social activist also and he finds pleasure in helping children.
Despite having a famous son, Robert has resorted to living away from the spotlight.
