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Soweto String Quartet founding member falls silent

Reuben Khemeshe, Sandile Khemese, Thamisi Khemese and Makhosini Mnguni. Pic: EUGENE COETZEE. 23/05/06. © The Herald.
Reuben Khemeshe, Sandile Khemese, Thamisi Khemese and Makhosini Mnguni. Pic: EUGENE COETZEE. 23/05/06. © The Herald.

Soweto String Quartet founding member Reuben Khemese has passed away.

Khemese, who played cello, collapsed and died at his home in Mulbarton, Ekurhuleni, yesterday morning. Fellow band member and brother Thami said Khemese, 62, was declared dead by emergency services at the scene.

Thami said his brother died just three days after they had returned from Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, to bury their aunt over the weekend. He further said although his brother was struggling with depression since his wife died five years ago, he never complained about any health issues this week.

He said when Khemese struggled to come to terms with the death of his wife, he asked not to perform but to focus on the administration of the group. He said they had to look for a replacement for him until his situation was better.

Thami assured the group's followers that they will honour all their scheduled performances - today in Kliptown and tomorrow in Swaziland and The Cradle of Humankind in Krugersdorp, West Rand.

Khemese will be buried on Thursday next week after a service scheduled to take place at the Rhema Bible Church.

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