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{{Short description|String quartet}}
The '''Soweto String Quartet''' is a [[string quartet]] from [[Soweto]] in [[Gauteng]], [[South Africa]], composed of [[Reuben Khemese]], [[Makhosini Mnguni]], [[Sandile Khemese]] and [[Thami Khemese]].<ref>{{Cite web|url =http://www.sowetostringquartet.co.za/ |title =Soweto String Quartet |access-date = 18 February 2018 |website =Soweto String Quartet }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url =http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Soweto_String_Quartet_A_unique_fusion_of_classical_African__gospel_elements/27579/p1/ |title =Soweto String Quartet: A unique fusion of classical, African & gospel elements |date =19 June 2007 |access-date = 18 February 2018 |website =Crossrhythms }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Grobler|first=Natalie|date=16 October 2013|title=The Soweto String Quartet latest album boasts with Afrikaanse treffers|url=https://rekord.co.za/6794/all4ssq/|access-date=18 November 2021|website=Pretoria Moot Rekord}}</ref> Their music is a fusion of the "dance rhythms of [[Kwela]], the syncopated guitars of [[Mbaqanga]], the saxophones and trumpets of swaying [[South African jazz|African jazz]] and the voices of people singing in joyous, easy harmony".  

The Soweto String Quartet is autonomous and independent and has not affiliated with any organisation or institution since its inception. The quartet became a full-time professional outfit in 1992. They performed at President [[Nelson Mandela|Mandela]]'s inauguration, after which Mandela started recommending them for other jobs.<ref>{{Cite web|url =http://pretoria.getitonline.co.za/2013/10/08/soweto-string-quartet-afrikaans-hits/#.WojpHKhl_IU |title =Soweto String Quartet does Afrikaans hits |date =8 October 2013 |access-date = 18 February 2018 |website =Getit Online }}</ref> The album ''Zebra Crossing'' peaked at number 16 and ''[[Renaissance (Soweto String Quartet album)|Renaissance]]'' peaked at number 29 on the Australian [[ARIA Charts]].<ref name="ARIA">{{cite Ryan|page=261}}</ref>

==Discography==
* ''Zebra Crossing'' (1994)
* ''[[Renaissance (Soweto String Quartet album)|Renaissance]]'' (1996)
* ''Millennia'' (1998)
* ''Rhythms of Africa'' (1999)
* ''Four'' (2001)
* ''Our World'' (2003)
* ''Soweto String Quartet Plays Gospel'' (2005)
* ''Collections'' (2007)
* ''A Soweto String Quartet Christmas''
* ''The Essential Soweto String Quartet''
* ''SSQ Speel Afrikaans Treffers Vol. 2'' (2013)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060924182335/http://www.cama.org.za/CAMA/webcomponents/php/gen_Musician.php?id=43 Soweto String Quartet] at the Contemporary African Music & Arts Archive

{{Greater Johannesburg|culture}}
{{String quartets|state=collapsed}}

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[[Category:String quartets]]
[[Category:South African musical groups]]
[[Category:Soweto]]