The Soweto String Quartet was formed in 1989 at the Madimba School of Music. The four members of the Soweto String Quartet are three brothers - Sandile Khemese on principal violin, Thami Khemese on second violin and Reuben Khemese on cello, with Makhosini Mnguni on viola. They are black classical trained musicians from Soweto, a South African Township. They initially faced criticism at home for using traditional European instruments, but over the years their music has absorbed African rhythms and intonations.