CN&CO recommends: Starlight Classics on M-Net on Easter Monday

RMB’s Starlight Classics is one of the highlights on the CN&CO calendar. The concert takes place twice a year – once in Cape Town and once in Joburg –and it’s also screened on M-Net six weeks or so after the live performance.

The 2019 Joburg edition, which took place at the Johannesburg Country Club, is being screened on M-Net at 3.30pm on Monday, 13 April.

“Starlight Classics is a truly unique event that holds a lot of links to CN&CO and to me personally,” says CN&CO’s Carel Nolte. “RMB is a long-standing client of ours and does lots of amazing work in the arts. The company is also a contributor to FirstRand’s SA Pandemic Intervention and Relief Effort (SPIRE), which recently raised an anchor investment of R100 million to help accelerate the scaling of our country’s Covid-19 critical care capacity.”

So they’re not just into the arts, they also have big hearts.


Starlight Classics is conducted by Richard Cock, who is a national icon in the classical music world.

“I, like many, remember him conducting me at school… more than three decades ago!” says Carel.

Richard is also a well-known radio personality on Classic1027, another organisation we have worked with at CN&CO.

“Rikus and I are also friends with Charl du Plessis, who is an amazing pianist and who performed at the Starlight Classics along with many brilliant local and international acts,” says Carel. “And then there’s Darren Hayward, who directs the spectacle. We worked with Darren on the CN&CO Chorus event in February and, more recently, on the #AnthemChallengeRSA project – for which I can’t wait to see the result!”

Working with Darren on the anthem project and the Starlight Classics is James Bassingthwaighte, director of the Mzansi Youth Choir. The choir has performed several times at Starlight Classics and also receives support from RMB.

“I love how all these things link together!” says Carel.

“Although this production is a fabulous example of teamwork, I feel I have to single out one person who is a real Starlight Classics champion. She’ll hate me for highlighting her, but I strongly feel a great big shout out is necessary for Carolynne Waterhouse, who is an absolute dynamo in the RMB brand team for whom nothing is impossible – especially when it comes to supporting the creative economy. I am grateful to call Carolynne and her colleagues, Alison Badenhorst, Lucy Lightfoot, Colette Wynne, Yvette Nowell and the rest of the team, friends.”

Remember to tune into Starlight Classics at 3.30pm on Easter Monday – 13 April 2020. #SARising #Inspiring