Sandton Times Hour Edition 223 Radio & Podcast Show Notes

The award-nominated Sandton Times Hour is the weekly radio show and podcast that brings the vibrant digital pages of The Sandton Times to life.

Musician and Conductor Richard Cock, shares the details of his annual Christmas concert with the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg.
South Africa’s own renowned ‘Salt Chef’, Chef Craig Cormack, chats about his collection of over 180 salts from around the world.
Tat Wolfen, Entertainment Commentator for The Sandton Times, dives into some of the latest streaming documentaries and classic Christmas movies.
Comedian Gilli Apter talks about her latest show, ‘Return of The Hilarious Deep Amazing Joburg Comedy Show’ at the Sandton Theatre on The Square.
Visit www.sandtontimes.co.za for more stories.

The Sandton Times Hour marks its fifth anniversary with a prestigious nomination for South Africa’s ‘Best Talk Show – Community’ in the 2025 Telkom Radio Awards.

The Sandton Times Hour has once again cemented its place among South Africa’s leading audio properties, with the show officially shortlisted for ‘Best Talk Show’ in the Community category at the 2025 Telkom Radio Awards in South Africa. It marks yet another milestone for the Sandton-based programme, which continues to blend sharp storytelling, compelling interviews, and lifestyle-rich content into a weekly hour loved by listeners across the country – and increasingly, across the world.

As the only radio show and podcast dedicated to ‘Africa’s richest square mile’ and northern Johannesburg, The Sandton Times Hour offers a compelling blend of insightful interviews and outstanding music. The show broadcasts every Monday from 7pm to 8pm on 91.9 FM in Johannesburg and Pretoria and streams live on the station’s website.

The show is also available on the LiSTN App, both iOS and Android, and has regularly ranked as a Top Pick. The Sandton Times Hour features fabulous food spots, luxurious lifestyle bits, first-hand travel tips, motoring notes, and world-class entertainment, business discussions and so much more, even venturing beyond the borders of greater Sandton.

In 2024, The Sandton Times Hour ranked third on Feedspot’s list of the “30 Best South Africa Podcasts,” standing out among thousands for its relevance, authority, social media presence, and consistent freshness. The show also earned a nomination for Podcast of the Year at the 2024 African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA), further cementing its status as one of the continent’s leading audio releases.

In this week’s show [Edition 223 Week 48] The Sandton Times covers an array of topical news as well as these interviews:

Annual Christmas Concert With The Symphony Choir Of Johannesburg With Musician And Conductor Richard Cock

Richard Cock, one of South Africa’s most influential conductors and champions of classical and choral music, joins The Sandton Times Hour to reflect on his career, his passion for musical outreach, and the upcoming Christmas concerts with the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg.

Known for transforming Johannesburg’s festive season into a major cultural celebration, Richard leads the Symphony Choir with warmth and vision, collaborates with international stars like Joshua Bell and Katherine Jenkins, and continues to shape beloved productions such as RMB Starlight Classics.

Richards drive to popularise classical music stems from his own early love of choir singing. He first joined a choir at 12 and initially plans to become a farmer, but after the family farm was sold, a supportive teacher encouraged him to pursue music. That moment steered him into a lifelong career as a music educator, conductor, and advocate for bringing classical music to broader audiences.

Richard speaks about key challenges, including the withdrawal of funding from the National Symphony Orchestra, which prompts him to embrace full-time freelance work. The shift allows him the freedom to run choirs and orchestras with entrepreneurial flair, take creative risks, and build musical communities driven by passion rather than obligation. Choirs remain central to his work because they consist of people who genuinely want to be involved – a spirit he strives to pass on to audiences.

Although he steps back from long-standing commitments like RMB Starlight Classics, Richards makes it clear he is not retiring. At 76, he is simply adjusting his workload and embracing new opportunities, including concerts around the country and in Cape Town during times he previously could not commit to.

Looking ahead, the Symphony Choir’s upcoming Christmas concerts remain a highlight. This year’s programme celebrates composer John Rutter’s 80th birthday and includes classic carols and festive favourites. The Symphony Choir of Johannesburg much-loved, annual Christmas Concert accompanied by the Phoenix Orchestra and conducted by the unparalleled Richard Cock takes place at the Linder Auditorium on 6 December and 7 December 2025. Tickets from R250 at Quicket.

The ‘Salt Chef’ Craig Cormack

Chef, patron, and restaurateur Craig Cormack joins The Sandton Times Hour as South Africa’s celebrated “salt chef,” a title earned through four decades of culinary innovation and a distinctive passion for the world’s most essential mineral. Since 2009, Craig has been redefining how diners think about salt, presenting immersive pairings of food, wine, and salts at shows across the country, and collaborating with culinary greats such as Bertus Basson and Beau du Toit across acclaimed kitchens including Overture, Goose Roasters, and SALT at Neethlingshof.

Craig shares how his journey into salt begins with a simple experiment: pairing three wines, three salts, and three ancient cooking techniques. The audience reaction is so overwhelming that he realises he has uncovered something far deeper than a common seasoning. This curiosity propels him into an obsessive global exploration of salt – from studying academic theses to travelling to salt pans around the world. Today, he has curated an astonishing collection of 184 salts, ranging from Hawaiian volcanic crystals to Danish smoked Viking salt.

At his newest venture, The Salt Road Houghton, salt takes centre stage. Guests are invited to experience salts from around the world, a concept that prompts diners to rethink flavour entirely. Discussing common mistakes home cooks make, Craig notes that most people under-season due to fear of oversalting, often using commercial table salt that lacks depth and quality. Proper seasoning, he argues, is a learned craft.

He encourages festive home cooks to explore natural, unrefined salts – and invites listeners to visit The Salt Road Houghton to expand their flavour horizons.

Christmas Viewing Classics With Entertainment Commentator Tat Wolfen

The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter & Friendship Documentary

The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter & Friendship is a 20/20 special celebrating the lasting impact of the 1985 sitcom. Featuring interviews with the show’s creators, writers, producers, celebrity fans, and former guest stars like George Clooney and Mario Lopez, the documentary delves into behind-the-scenes stories and the making of the beloved series. It highlights the enduring legacy of the four iconic leads – Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty – showcasing how their chemistry, humour, and friendship have influenced television and popular culture, keeping the show relevant and cherished by audiences decades after its original airing.

John Candy: I Like Me

John Candy: I Like Me is a new documentary directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, streaming on Prime Video. Featuring a new recording by Cynthia Erivo, the film offers an intimate look at the beloved Canadian comedy legend through never-before-seen home videos, family insights, and candid reflections from collaborators. It explores John’s rise as one of the brightest stars of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, while revealing the personal challenges he faced behind the scenes. The documentary celebrates John as a son, husband, father, friend, and performer devoted to bringing joy to others.

Classic Christmas Movie: Love Actually

Love Actually follows eight interconnected couples in London as they navigate the highs and lows of love during the month before Christmas. Written and directed by Richard Curtis, the film has become a cherished holiday classic, celebrated for its warmth, humour, and emotional depth. Featuring an extraordinary ensemble cast – including Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Laura Linney, Rowan Atkinson and the late Alan Rickman – the film explores romance, heartbreak, family, and friendship. Twenty years after its release, it remains a timeless reminder of love’s messy, magical, and universal power.

An Almost Christmas Story

An Almost Christmas Story follows Moon, a curious young owl accidentally transported to New York City inside the Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree. As he tries to find his way home, he befriends Luna, a lost little girl, and together they discover holiday magic while searching for their families. Inspired by the real owl rescued from the 2020 Rockefeller tree, the animated short features voices by Cary Christopher, Estella Madrigal, Jim Gaffigan, Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly and more. Created by Disney Branded Television and Alfonso Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj, the film is directed by David Lowery with music by composer Daniel Hart.

‘Return Of The Hilarious Deep Amazing Joburg Comedy Show’ With Comedian Gilli Apter

Return Of The Hilarious Deep Amazing Joburg Comedy Show with Gilli Apter marks the much-anticipated comeback of one of South Africa’s sharpest comedic voices. Internationally touring and locally rooted, Gilli Apter – well known for her appearances on Netflix’s Only Jokes Allowed and Trevor Noah’s Nationwild on Showmax – returns to Johannesburg for a limited run of performances that blend insightful social commentary with laugh-out-loud humour.

The show dives into the full spectrum of modern life, tackling topics that feel both universal and deeply personal. From relationships and parenting – or not parenting – to technology, AI, ADHD, and the chaos of daily living, Gilli finds comedy in the complexities many audiences know all too well. She also fearlessly explores themes of identity and politics, weaving them together with the kind of introspection that somehow leaves audiences laughing even as they recognise their own anxieties. A recurring gag compares crime in Johannesburg to crime in Switzerland – an ongoing reminder that some places really are as peaceful as their postcards.

Last year’s Johannesburg run at the same theatre also sold out completely, underscoring her popularity both at home and abroad. Now based in London, she brings her internationally honed material back to South Africa for audiences eager to experience her signature blend of wit, depth, and effortless storytelling.

This Johannesburg run may also feature surprise appearances from special guest comedians, adding an extra layer of excitement to the night. Doors open at 7 PM, with the show starting promptly at 8 PM. While the show promises a night of clever, high-energy, thought-provoking comedy, it carries an age restriction: no under-16s allowed.

Return Of The Hilarious Deep Amazing Joburg Comedy Show with Gilli Apter runs at Sandton Theatre on The Square from 25 November to 30 November 2025. Tickets from R200 available at Quicket.

Sandton Times Hour Music Playlist

Ndlovu Youth Choir – All I Want for Christmas Is You
Tom Gaebel – Here’s to Elegance
Billy Mack – Christmas is all Around
Andrew Gold – Thank You for Being a Friend

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