‘World-class pilots’ indeed? Trevor Noah joke takes flight after Airlink stunt
Trevor Noah’s old joke about South Africa’s 'world-class pilots' has resurfaced after Airlink’s dramatic flyover at DHL Stadium prompted safety questions and a wave of local memes.
The dramatic flyover of Airlink jets before a South Africa vs. New Zealand rugby match has sparked a global aviation debate, but South Africans have responded in a markedly different fashion - with memes, jokes, and unwavering confidence in their pilots. Even before the incident, Trevor Noah had turned South Africa's fascination with aviation into comedy, joking about the country's "world-class pilots" in a routine that is now gaining relevance.
As the flyover occurred and responses poured in, the jokes about South African pilots taking off early, arriving early, or being "from the future" became prevalent. While international viewers questioned the safety of the low flyover, South Africans expressed their belief in the pilots' abilities through humor, proving that South Africans transform moments of national anxiety or disbelief into comedy almost immediately.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
