The Soweto String Quartet latest album boasts with Afrikaanse treffers

The Soweto String Quartet is back with an album that will surprise and enthral everyone who hears it. Soweto String Quartet speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2 promises, like the first volume, to be a big favourite among the South African community.

Currently, the group consist of two brothers and two friends, Sandile Khemese on first violin, Thami Khemese on second violin, Makhosini Mnguni on viola and Themba Machobane on cello.

As little boys, they walked dusty, dirt roads with their instruments hidden in paper bags to attend music lessons. This was the beginning of a legacy that today needs no introduction. The Soweto String Quartet (SSQ) has released numerous albums and has become a part of South Africa’s beautiful heritage, much like boerewors, biltong, Madiba and rugby.

They are definitely one of SA’s most loved instrumental ensembles, playing at Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration being one of their career highlights. Their black and white zebra-striped jackets symbolise how the different cultures in South Africa need one another and SSQ themselves stand for unity and for building our nation.

In 2007, they released the album Soweto String Quartet speel Afrikaanse Treffers, under the creative direction of Louis Brittz and Merchant Music. Little did they know that the album would be received so well in the South African community across culture and colour barriers alike. The album reached gold status within weeks.

Soweto String Quartet speel Afrikaanse Treffers, Vol. 2 promises to take listeners on a South African journey with songs like Timbuktu, Die Bloubul, Baby tjoklits, ‘n Vrou wil dit hoor and Tussen jou en my to name a few, all played in SSQ’s unique way, giving the songs an African flavour that will have you dancing and singing along in no time.

What makes this album extra special is that it also features collaborations between SSQ and artists like Gerhard Steyn, Dozi, Anton Goosen and Juanita du Plessis on their original hit songs.

This album promises to be one of the highlight albums of 2013 and should be in everyone’s CD collection. The album will be available in stores from middle October and their music video of the medley Timbuktu/Vra my (songs made famous by Riana Nel and Eden) will be released at the end of October.