Trevor Noah has shared details regarding a 2009 incident in which his mother, Patricia, was shot in the head by his stepfather.
The comedian discussed the event during an appearance on The Diary of a CEO
podcast, reflecting on the impact of gender-based violence and his upbringing in South Africa.
Details of the 2009 Attack
The shooting occurred in 2009, when Ngisaveni Shingange, also known as Abel, shot Patricia in the face. The attack was carried out in a fit of rage after Patricia became engaged to Sifiso Khoza.
The violence resulted in a bullet shattering Patricia’s jaw and piercing her skull. Despite the severity of the injuries, she survived the attack.
Noah recalled the moment he learned of the incident through a phone call from his younger brother.
I got a phone call from my younger brother saying that my mom has been shot….
Trevor Noah via The Diary of a CEO podcast
Family Background and Domestic Violence
This event followed a history of domestic abuse within the home. Noah described his childhood as being marked by violence at the hands of Shingange, who struggled with alcoholism. Patricia and her sons, Isaac and Andrew, eventually separated from Shingange and moved out of the home before the 2009 shooting took place.
Noah also provided context on his early life in Soweto, noting that he was born illegally
to an interracial couple. His mother is Xhosa and his father, Robert Noah, is a Swiss white man.
In a report published by the Daily Sun on April 3, 2026, Noah expressed that he regrets not seeking therapy
after the trauma of the shooting, which occurred when he was in his early 20s.