Experience the Last Night of the Proms: Wynberg Rotary Club's musical fundraising event

The Rotary Club of Wynberg is once again behind one of Cape Town’s most cherished musical traditions, as the Last Night of the Proms returns with this year’s theme: You’ve heard the Bells… Now for the Whistles!

Presented by the Rotary Club of Wynberg and supported by the City of Cape Town, the annual concert has become a local institution over the past three decades, while raising vital funds for the club’s chosen charities.

Prominent conductor Richard Cock will lead the Cape Town Festival Orchestra and massed local choirs in a lively, highly audience-participative performance.

The programme will feature favourites such as Strauss’ Bahn Frei, Penny Whistle Kwela and Colonel Bogey, with audiences encouraged to bring along whistles - and to join in the whistling themselves.

This year’s soloist is 22-year-old tenor Thandolwethu Longo (Thando), who has already built an impressive list of stage performances in Cape Town.

The Proms Committee has also announced that the popular City Hall Carillon will be played for 30 minutes before and after each evening’s performance, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Stacy Edwards, a member of the Proms Committee of the Rotary Club of Wynberg, said the 2026 theme celebrates one of the concert’s most light-hearted traditions.

“The 2026 theme, You’ve heard the Bells… Now for the Whistles! celebrates one of the Proms’ most playful traditions. Audiences are encouraged to bring a whistle and join in, adding to the festive, participatory atmosphere that makes this concert such a joy,” she said.

She added that those who purchase a programme on the night will also stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes, including luxury overnight stays at Stanford Valley Country Lodge and the newly opened Tintswalo Summer House, as well as a dining experience at The Bistro at Brookdale Estate in the Paarl Winelands.

The Last Night of the Proms is the Wynberg Rotary Club’s biggest annual fundraising event.

Profits support selected local charities, including PaedsPal Paediatric Palliative Care Centre, TEARS Animal Rescue, the Kirstenhof Police Station Victim Empowerment Programme, and the nurturing of young musicians through the Beau Soleil Music Centre.

Funds raised this year will also help support the opening of a children’s palliative care home.

The past two years’ performances have played to sold-out audiences.

Tickets for the performances on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, are available through Computicket.

For more information, email last.night.of.the.proms@gmail.com.

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