Soweto String Quartet

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Soweto String Quartet is a string quartet from Soweto, Gauteng, South Africa, composed of Reuben Khemese, Makhosini Mnguni, Sandile Khemese, and Thami Khemese. Their music is a fusion of the dance rhythms of Kwela, syncopated guitars of Mbaqanga, African jazz, and vocal harmonies. The group became a full-time professional outfit in 1992 and performed at President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration. Their debut album, Zebra Crossing (1994), peaked at number 16 on the Australian ARIA Charts. Their subsequent albums include Renaissance (1996), which reached number 29 on the same charts, Millennia (1998), Rhythms of Africa (1999), and Four (2001).

Top tracks

14	Weeping	Soweto String Quartet	Silang Mabele			05:40
	Writer: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox / Composers: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox
04	Kwela	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			03:41
	Writer: Soweto String Quartet / Composers: Soweto String Quartet
08	St Agnes and the Burning Train (St Agnes Nokusha Kwe-Stimela)	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			02:42
	Composers: Sting
01	Mbayi Mbayi	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			02:39
	Writer: Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
09	Sikelela	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			04:03
	Writer: Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Martin Mann - Johan Laas / Composers: Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Martin Mann - Johan Laas
08	Kgotso (Peace)	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			04:17
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
07	Pata Pata	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			04:07
	Writer: Miriam Makeba - Jerry Ragovoy / Composers: Miriam Makeba - Jerry Ragovoy

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Discography

Albums

The Essential

(P) 2017 South Africa - Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd: 12-05-2017

The Essential

01	Imbube	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			04:47
	Writer: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Traditional / Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Traditional
02	Yakhal 'Inkomo	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			04:59
	Writer: Winston Mankunku Ngosi - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Moses Khumalo / Composers: Winston Mankunku Ngosi - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Moses Khumalo
03	Weeping	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			05:40
	Writer: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox / Composers: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox
04	Jabulani	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			04:32
	Writer: George Van Dyk / Composers: George Van Dyk
05	Mangwane Mpulele	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			04:37
	Writer: Bruce Cassidy / Composers: Bruce Cassidy
06	Ntyilo Ntyilo	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			03:21
	Writer: Sandile Khemese / Composers: Sandile Khemese
07	Sizwile Ngawe (We Hear You)	Soweto String Quartet	The Essential			04:07
	Writer: Bruce Cassidy / Composers: Bruce Cassidy

Access the complete album info (16 songs)

Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2

2013 Merchant Music: 03-10-2013

Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2

01	Tv Kenwysies: 7de Laan / Kwela / Noot Vir Noot	Soweto String Quartet	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			02:34
	Composers: Louis van Rensburg - D. de Lange - N. Cross - J. Stemmet
02	Timbuktu / Vra My	Soweto String Quartet	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			03:31
	Composers: J. Vorster - Riana Nel - Ewald Coleske
03	Baby Tjoklits / Diamante Vir Jou / Is Dit Nie Te Laat Nie Met Gerhard Steyn	Soweto String Quartet Met Gerhard Steyn	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			04:22
	Composers: Gerhard Steyn - B. Lategan
04	‘n Vrou Wil Dit Hoor / Spieeltjie	Soweto String Quartet	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			03:27
	Composers: J. Vorster - Bobby Van Jaarsveld
05	Neem My Op Vlerke / Reik Na Die Sterre / Ek Lewe	Soweto String Quartet	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			04:04
	Composers: N. Hammerchidt/R.Kaiser/P.Giesecke/ A. Van Rooyen - T. Hendrik/K. Van Haaren/ L. Bridges
06	Bloubullied / Die Trane Die Rol / Kom Bietjie Hier	Soweto String Quartet	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			03:01
	Composers: S. Hofmeyr - S.A. Volkswysie: Verwerk Dirkie De Villiers - Afr: Kurt Darren/Don Kelly/ Marc Brendon/ Sarah Theron
07	Tussen Jou En My Met Dozi	Soweto String Quartet Met Dozi	Speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2			02:47
	Composers: S. Kruger

Access the complete album info (14 songs)

Collections

(P) 2007 SonyBmg Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd: 13-07-2007

Collections

01	Straight Lingo	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			05:07
	Writer: Don Laka / Composers: Don Laka
02	Zebra Crossing	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			04:10
	Writer: Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
03	Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			02:34
	Writer: Sandile Khemese - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Grahame Beggs / Composers: Sandile Khemese - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Grahame Beggs
04	Take Five	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			04:26
	Composers: Dave Brubeck
05	Skokiaan	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			04:29
	Writer: August Musarurgwa / Composers: August Musarurgwa
06	Summertime (feat. Khanyo Maphumulo)	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			04:14
	Writer: Concord Nkabinde - George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin / Composers: George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin
07	Millenia	Soweto String Quartet	Collections			04:11
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni

Access the complete album info (10 songs)

A Soweto String Quartet Christmas

2006 Brotherhood Records: 01-10-2006

A Soweto String Quartet Christmas

01	Hark the Herald Angels Sing	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			03:30
	Writer: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni / Composers: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni
02	Medley: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town / Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			04:46
	Writer: Coots - Gillespie - J Marks / Composers: Coots - Gillespie - J Marks
03	Mary's Boy Child	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			03:38
	Writer: J Hairston / Composers: J Hairston
04	Away in a Manger	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			02:45
	Writer: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni / Composers: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni
05	Deck the Halls	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			03:29
	Writer: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni / Composers: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni
06	Joy to the World	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			02:37
	Writer: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni / Composers: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni
07	O Come All Ye Faithful	Soweto String Quartet	A Soweto String Quartet Christmas			02:34
	Writer: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni / Composers: Traditional - R Khemese - S Khemese - T Khemese - M Mnguni

Access the complete album info (15 songs)

Our World

(P) 2003 Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd: 29-08-2003

Our World

01	Skokiaan	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			04:29
	Writer: August Musarurgwa / Composers: August Musarurgwa
02	Mangwane Mpulele	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			04:37
	Writer: Bruce Cassidy / Composers: Bruce Cassidy
03	Summertime (feat. Khanyo Maphumulo)	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			04:14
	Writer: Concord Nkabinde - George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin / Composers: George Gershwin - Ira Gershwin
04	Sizwile Ngawe (We Hear You)	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			04:07
	Writer: Bruce Cassidy / Composers: Bruce Cassidy
05	Kgabo Makgatla	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			04:58
	Writer: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Bruce Cassidy / Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Bruce Cassidy
06	Take Five	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			04:26
	Composers: Dave Brubeck
07	Emini Kuhle (Beautiful Day)	Soweto String Quartet	Our World			06:01
	Composers: Bruce Cassidy

Access the complete album info (12 songs)

Four

(P) 2001 BMG Records Africa (Pty) Limited: 20-08-2001

Four

01	Victory	Soweto String Quartet	Four			04:23
	Writer: Reuben Khemese / Composers: Reuben Khemese
02	Straight Lingo	Soweto String Quartet	Four			05:07
	Writer: Don Laka / Composers: Don Laka
03	Umgcagco (Celebration)	Soweto String Quartet	Four			05:07
	Writer: Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Makhosini Mnguni
04	Shadile	Soweto String Quartet	Four			05:34
	Writer: Don Laka / Composers: Don Laka
05	Song For Mama	Soweto String Quartet	Four			04:55
	Writer: Thami Khemese / Composers: Thami Khemese
06	Endurance	Soweto String Quartet	Four			04:10
	Writer: Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Makhosini Mnguni
07	Lalela - La!	Soweto String Quartet	Four			04:53
	Writer: Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Makhosini Mnguni

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Rhythms Of Africa

(P) 1999 Conifer Records Ltd. / Wrasse Records Ltd.: 12-07-1999

Rhythms Of Africa

01	Millenia	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			04:11
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
02	The Paul Simon "Graceland" Collection	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			04:59
	Writer: Paul Simon - Joseph Shabalala - Joseph Shalabala / Composers: Paul Simon - Joseph Shabalala - Simon Shabalala - Joseph Shalabala
03	Imbube	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			04:47
	Writer: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Traditional / Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Traditional
04	Zebra Crossing	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			04:10
	Writer: Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
05	Bossa Baroque	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			05:36
	Composers: Dave Grusin
06	Zulu Lullaby	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			01:32
	Composers: Sandile Khemese - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Grahame Beggs
07	Jabulani	Soweto String Quartet	Rhythms Of Africa			04:32
	Writer: George Van Dyk / Composers: George Van Dyk

Access the complete album info (14 songs)

Millennia

(P) 1998 South Africa: 16-11-1998

Millennia

01	Millenia	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			04:11
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
02	Sunrise	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			04:11
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
03	New Beginning	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			03:27
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
04	Amabutho (Warriors)	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			02:52
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
05	Last Boat to Goree	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			04:45
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
06	African Renaissance	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			03:48
	Writer: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
07	This Time Around	Soweto String Quartet	Millennia			03:39
	Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni

Access the complete album info (13 songs)

Renaissance

(P) 1996 South Africa: 21-11-1996

Renaissance

01	Imbube	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			04:47
	Writer: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Traditional / Composers: Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Traditional
02	Writing on the Wall	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			04:16
	Composers: Geissman - Coll
03	Songs My Mother Taught Me	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			02:23
	Composers: Antonín Dvořák
04	Weeping	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			05:40
	Writer: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox / Composers: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox
05	Eureka	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			03:35
	Composers: Sandile Khemese - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Grahame Beggs
06	Thula Sizwe Khay'elisha	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			01:54
	Composers: Traditional
07	Pata Pata	Soweto String Quartet	Renaissance			04:07
	Writer: Miriam Makeba - Jerry Ragovoy / Composers: Miriam Makeba - Jerry Ragovoy

Access the complete album info (13 songs)

Zebra Crossing

(P) 1994 Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd, under Sound African Recordings a division of Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd: 26-09-1994

Zebra Crossing

01	Mbayi Mbayi	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			02:39
	Writer: Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Sandile Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
02	Zebra Crossing	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			04:10
	Writer: Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni / Composers: Sandile Khemese - Grahame Beggs - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni
03	Zulu Lullaby	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			01:32
	Composers: Sandile Khemese - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Makhosini Mnguni - Grahame Beggs
04	Kwela	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			03:41
	Writer: Soweto String Quartet / Composers: Soweto String Quartet
05	The Paul Simon "Graceland" Collection	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			04:59
	Writer: Paul Simon - Joseph Shabalala - Joseph Shalabala / Composers: Paul Simon - Joseph Shabalala - Simon Shabalala - Joseph Shalabala
06	Bossa Baroque	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			05:36
	Composers: Dave Grusin
07	Shut Up And Listen (Thul'u Lalele)	Soweto String Quartet	Zebra Crossing			02:31
	Composers: Makhosini Mnguni - Sandile Khemese - Reuben Khemese - Thami Khemese - Grahame Beggs

Access the complete album info (13 songs)

Featured in

Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

℗ 2009 This compilation WaterTower Music as licensee for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.: 15-12-2009

Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

01	9,000 Days	Overtone	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			03:14
	Writer: Clint Eastwood - Dina Eastwood - Emile Welman - Michael Stevens
02	Invictus Theme	Kyle Eastwood	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			04:09
	Writer: Kyle Eastwood - Michael Stevens
03	Colorblind	Overtone	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			03:24
	Writer: Daniel Po
04	Siyalinda	Kyle Eastwood	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			02:28
	Writer: Kyle Eastwood - Michael Stevens
05	World In Union '95	Overtone	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			03:50
	Writer: Charlie Skarbeck - Gustav Holst - Joseph Shabalala
06	Madiba's Theme	Kyle Eastwood	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			01:17
	Writer: Kyle Eastwood - Michael Stevens
07	Hamba Nathi	Overtone	Invictus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)			01:35
	Writer: Public Domain

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Silang Mabele

(P) 1997 BMG Africa (Pty) Ltd: 12-09-1997

Silang Mabele

01	Khunkwane	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			04:13
	Composers: Vusi Mahlasela
02	Silang Mabele	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			05:37
	Writer: Vusi Mahlasela / Composers: Vusi Mahlasela
03	Loneliness	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			04:28
	Writer: Vusi Mahlasela - Lisa Combrink / Composers: Vusi Mahlasela - Lisa Combrink
04	Sleep tight Margaret	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			04:07
	Writer: Vusi Mahlasela - I. Hermann - S. Newman / Composers: Vusi Mahlasela - I. Hermann - S. Newman
05	Antone	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			05:30
	Composers: Vusi Mahlasela
06	Kwa-Zulu	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			04:28
	Composers: Vusi Mahlasela - T. Nyathi - Lesego Rampolokeng - J. Makhoere
07	Troubador	Vusi Mahlasela	Silang Mabele			04:30
	Writer: Vusi Mahlasela - W. Chakela / Composers: Vusi Mahlasela - W. Chakela

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Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop

(P) 2010 SME Africa (Pty) Ltd: 24-05-2010

Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop

01	African Summer	Black Moses	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			04:34
	Writer: Dudu Maphalala - Moses Ngwenya / Composers: Dudu Maphalala - Moses Ngwenya
02	Palafala (feat. S'bu)	TKZEE	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			05:16
	Writer: Z. Bala - T. Tshabalala - K. Mabalane / Composers: Z. Bala - T. Tshabalala - K. Mabalane
03	Zwipera Tende	Ura	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			04:34
	Writer: N. Njakazi - M. Nyambi / Composers: N. Njakazi - M. Nyambi
04	Weeping	Soweto String Quartet	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			05:40
	Writer: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox / Composers: Dan Heymann - Peter Cohen - Ian Cohen - Tom Fox
05	Isililo	Swazi Dlamini	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			05:28
	Writer: Zamaswazi Dlamini - Jimmy Dludlu / Composers: Zamaswazi Dlamini - Jimmy Dludlu
06	Ema Jazzin	Joe Nina	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			03:57
	Writer: Makhosini Xaba / Composers: Makhosini Xaba
07	New Beginnings	Judith Sephuma	Celebrate The Best Of Afro Pop			04:24
	Writer: Judith Sephuma - Randal Skippers / Composers: Judith Sephuma - Randal Skippers

Access the complete album info (14 songs)

Sounds from Home

2026 Maduvha: 30-03-2026

Sounds from Home

01	Makube Njalo	Maduvha	Sounds from Home			04:48
	Writer: Maduvha Madima / Composers: Maduvha Madima
02	Ro Themba Vhone	Maduvha	Sounds from Home			04:15
	Writer: Maduvha Madima - Ladysmith Black Mambazo / Composers: Maduvha Madima - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
03	South Africa	Maduvha	Sounds from Home			04:32
	Writer: Maduvha Madima / Composers: Maduvha Madima
04	Mapungubwe	Maduvha	Sounds from Home			05:24
	Writer: Maduvha Madima / Composers: Maduvha Madima
05	Thungununu	Maduvha	Sounds from Home			05:40
	Writer: Maduvha Madima / Composers: Maduvha Madima

Thanksgiving

: 23-01-2015

Thanksgiving

01	Rejoice (feat. Monde)	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			03:26
02	When a Child Is Born	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			03:02
03	Moya Wami (feat. Soweto String Quartet)	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			04:39
04	Yingisani (feat. Deborah Fraser)	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			03:47
05	Ntate Ke Mang	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			04:59
06	The Prayer (feat. Thembeka)	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			04:53
07	You Raise Me Up (feat. UMOJA)	Soweto Opera Quadro	Thanksgiving			04:01

Access the complete album info (13 songs)