WOMAD

Soweto String Quartet

From South Africa

2001 Biography This is a remarkable story. Three brothers, Sandile, Thami and Reuben are born to a classical music-loving Mr Khemese in Sophia Town, South Africa. In 1955 the government introduces stringent new apartheid laws and the family is forcibly moved to Soweto where the brothers beg and borrow to learn the rudiments of European classical music and the musical lore of their own African traditions. During the 1976 riots the brothers see their friends shot and mutilated. In 1980 Sandile Khemese wins a scholarship to study music in the UK and returns seven years later with a solid grounding in classical theory and practice. Having been refused a place in the National Symphony Orchestra, Sandile gets together with his two brothers and a close friend, Makhosini Mnguni, to form the Soweto String Quartet. Initially the brothers face a certain amount of resistance, both from fellow black Africans who wonder why they are so obsessed with the musical heritage of white Europe, and whites who cannot stomach their heartfelt renditions of the ANC anthem ‘Nkose Sikelele Afrika’. Then, as the quartet start to integrate some of the multitude of sounds of the rainbow nation including township jazz, kwela and traditional African songs into their repertoire, their reputation grows exponentially. A scout from BMG South Africa spots the quartet and they release a string of highly acclaimed albums including ‘Zebra Crossing’, ‘Renaissance’ and ‘Millennia’. A dream is fulfilled when their hero Nelson Mandela invites the quartet to perform at his inauguration. The Soweto String Quartet story is part ‘Sound Of Music’, part ‘Star is Born’ set in the darkest days of apartheid and against the harsh realities of life in South West Township. It is a story about the triumph of courage, spirit and music against unbelievable odds. Biography by Andy Morgan, June 2001Short biographyThe Soweto String Quartet and their five piece band is the sound of New South Africa. Time Out describe them as "a superbly accomplished outfit, gloriously combining traditional African township rhythms with pop and classical styles".May 2001