Thomas Chauke

Dr. Thomas Chauke
Birth nameThomas Hasani Chauke
Also known asShinyori
Born (1952-02-04) 4 February 1952
Saselemani, Limpopo, South Africa
GenresXitsonga
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer composer
  • Record Producer
Years active1979–present

Dr Thomas Hasani "Shinyori" Chauke OIS (born 5 February 1952) is a South African Xitsonga musician.[1] Chauke was granted an honorary doctorate in African languages for the role his music has played in the development of the Xitsonga language.[2]

Early life

Chauke was born in Salema (Saselamani) Village in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.[3] He dropped out of school at primary level (Standard 3/Grade 5).[4] Chauke has five wives and 23 children.[4]

Music career

Chauke started his band with 13 singers from a shebeen in the late 1970s. After a few months, only five remained. They performed at school halls to raise money to go to Johannesburg and realize the recording dream. Chauke signed a contract to record with GRC. Under GRC, the music was branded Nyoresh. He moved to Wea Records, where he got a better deal and changed his music brand from Nyoresh to Shimatsatsa ("a beautiful girl"). In 1981, he recorded his first album called Shimatsatsa no. 1 under the burner name Thomas Chauke and Shinyori Sisters. Now he hands out awards yearly in the category: Dr. Thomas Chauke's Artist of the Year for Munghana Lonene Fm.[5] In the course of his career, Chauke has received one diamond disc, one double gold disc, six platinum disc, 11 double platinum and nine triple platinum discs.[4]

Awards and accomplishments

  • Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree, African languages University of Venda
  • South African Music Awards (SAMA) won 16 awards
  • Munghana-Lonene FM Awards won more than 10 awards
  • Munghana-Lonene FM Awards Special Award
  • MTN SAMA 19 Lifetime Achievement Award 2013
  • In 2014, Munghana Lonene FM introduced new award category, Dr Thomas Chauke Album of the year [6]

Discography

With a career spanning over 34 years, he has released over 36 studio albums.

  • Nyoresh
  • Shimatsatsa No. 1 - Shimatsatsa shamina
  • Shimatsatsa No. 2 – Don't Be Surprised
  • Shimatsatsa No. 3 – Bomber Mhlengwe
  • Shimatsatsa No. 4 - Shimatsatsa xa mina
  • Shimatsatsa No. 5 – Shikwamula Mazingi
  • Shimatsatsa No. 6 – Xibamuxa Movha
  • Shimatsatsa No. 7 – Suka Lovha
  • Shimatsatsa No. 8 – Ma jamble Sale
  • Shimatsatsa No. 9 – Humelela M.K
  • Shimatsatsa No. 10 – Jim Na Jack
  • Shimatsatsa No. 11 – Hi Hanya kuvava
  • Shimatsatsa No. 12 – Buku Yi Hibyerile
  • Shimatsatsa No. 13 – Xifumi Na Lazaro
  • Shimatsatsa No. 14 – Suka Davulos
  • Shimatsatsa No. 15 – Kokwani Wa Wun'Wana
  • Shimatsatsa No. 16 – Sodoma Na Gomora
  • Shimatsatsa No. 17 – Bangi situlu
  • Shimatsatsa No. 18 – Mati-Endla (SAMA 1999 Winner)
  • Shimatsatsa No. 19 - I Mutshiveri Muni? (SAMA 2000 Winner)
  • Shimatsatsa No.20 – Magidi – Mbirhi (SAMA 2001 Winner)
  • Shimatshana No. 21 – Mpfende Mpfende (SAMA 2002 Winner)
  • Shimatsatsa No. 22 – Mugawula
  • Shimatsatsa No. 23 – Shimovhana
  • Shimatsatsa No. 24 – Madzolonga
  • Shimatsatsa No. 25 – Xidudla Kedibone
  • The Best Of Thomas Chauke – Volume 1
  • The Best Of Thomas Chauke Na Shinyori Sisters – Volume 2
  • Shimatsatsa No. 26 – Mavholovholo
  • Shimatsatsa No. 27 – Rejina
  • Shimatsatsa No. 28 – Swelemetee
  • Shimatsatas No. 29 – Xihloka Xa Maseve (SAMA 2010–Nominated)
  • Shimatsatsa No. 30 - Jehovha (SAMA 2011 Winner)
  • Shimatsatsa No. 31 – Dokodela (SAMA 2013 Winner)
  • Shimatsatsa No. 32 - Virus-Computer ya nhloko (SAMA 2014 Winner) "Sold a remarkable Gold within 2 Days of release"
  • Shimatsatsa No. 33 - Basopa
  • Shimatsatsa No. 34 - Xiganga (SAMA 2017 Winner)
  • Shimatsatsa No. 35 - Majagani
  • Shimatsatsa No. 36 - Xikungu

References

  1. ^ "Tsonga disco king - City Press". Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  2. ^ "At home with Thomas Chauke". DRUM. 25 May 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  3. ^ "MTN SAMA 19 HONOURS SIZWE ZAKO, Dr THOMAS CHAUKE & RALPH JOHN RABIE (Johannes Kerkorrel) - 19TH ANNUAL MTN SA MUSIC AWARDS". Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b c "Honorary doctorate for Xitsonga musician". Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Music veterans to be honoured at SA Music Awards | Arts and Culture | Music | M&G". Mg.co.za. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Thomas Chauke Audio Streaming". Xitsongaonline.co.za. Retrieved 5 January 2017.