Trevor Noah made history recently as he became the first comedian to win the prestigious Erasmus Prize in nearly 60 years.
By: Garrin Lambley
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The South African comedian is the first comic to win the award Charlie Chaplin, who received the honour in 1965.
The Erasmus Prize is awarded annually to a person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences or the arts, in Europe and beyond.
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The award consists of a cash prize of €150 000, which at the current exchange rate is equivalent to nearly R3 million.
According to a statement from the foundation, Trevor Noah was awarded the prize for his inspired contribution to the theme “In Praise of Folly” named after Erasmus’ most famous book.
Part of the statement said: “With his sharp-minded, mocking yet inclusive political comedy, Noah, in the eyes of the jury, upholds the ‘Erasmian Spirit.'”
