The Soweto String Quartet


The Soweto String Quartet is a musical explosion of four Africans playing eighteenth century musical instruments, but with the rich pulse of Africa flowing through their veins and into their music.

Their music comprises works both contemporary and traditional, some original and some borrowed from Africa's rich treasure house of melody. The Soweto String Quartet's qualifications are impeccable, and they portray the timeless spirit of Africa.

The Soweto String Quartet became a full-time professional outfit in 1992, the time when South Africa was in the throes of dramatic change. Sandile on how the changes affected the band: "The elections in 1994 turned everything around for us. Our first really important gig was actually at President Mandela's inauguration. That was very emotional, but it was also the turning point for our career. The President even started recommending us for all sorts of other jobs".

The Soweto String Quartet have recorded two previous albums for BMG Africa - Zebra Crossing in 1994 and Renaissance in 1996. Both were a huge success. And like Millennia, the albums showcase the bands unique blend of traditional rhythms, Township Jazz, Pop songs, Jazz Fusion, and of course, strong Classical influences. The songs are arranged in the band's unique and vibrant fashion - a true celebration of the resilient township spirit.

The last few years have seen the band play all around the world as music ambassadors for the New South Africa. But their home will always be in Soweto as Sandile explains: "We belong to the people. And there are a lot of people coming through studying these instruments and taking an interest. They don't think we are quite so crazy anymore".

Soweto String Quartet, comprising the three Khemese brothers and friend, Makhosini Mnguni, grew out of a Khemese family musical conspiracy. The Khemese children had no choice but to flourish in their artistry, in spite of the political oppression that held them down. Sons of a virtuoso conductor father and choral singer mother, Sandile and Reuben were naturally drawn into their uncle's township music school. There they soon switched from choral singing to playing violins for the Soweto Symphony Orchestra.

Between 1980 and 1986, Sandile pursued a music scholarship in England, which included four years at the Royal North College of Music in Manchester, after which he returned to the township to teach his brothers everything he had learned. He was able to obtain a job teaching the traditional African marimba instrument at the Madimba School of Music. After three years of sacrificing his violin playing, Sandile, his brothers and Makhosini decided it was time to regroup. For ten years, the Quartet weathered the criticisms of peers who taunted them for playing "funny European instruments".

"Our agenda included encouraging the youth to master these so-called Eurocentric instruments," says Sandile, "as well as improving the standard and appreciation of classical music in the townships."

Since then, and since the miraculous birth of true democracy in their native South Africa, the Quartet has intensified its experimental intermixing of musical styles and instrumentation-bringing guitars, keyboards and percussion into a musical exploration of the inner dimensions of their cross-cultural experience. With an eclectic mix of African rhythms and intonations, Soweto String Quartet presents an aesthetic landscape that knows no cultural, temporal or geographical barriers.