Thomas Chauke

Dr. Thomas Chauke
Birth name	Thomas Hasani Chauke
Born	(1952-02-04) 4 February 1952 Saselemani, Limpopo, South Africa
Genres	Xitsonga, Xigaza
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, composer,
Years active	1981 –present

Thomas Hasani "Shinyori" Chauke (4 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. He dropped out of school at primary level to work at a flower firm in Heidelberg, Gauteng, in 1969. He then moved to Alexandra in 1971, where he fixed swimming pools and tennis courts in neighbouring Sandton. While there he met his uncle, who was into mbaqanga music and played the Tsonga guitar, which he taught Chauke how to play. Chauke traveled back home in 1978 and fixed radio sets. He was already married with a child.^[3]

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.^[4]

Awards and accomplishments

Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree, African languages University of Venda
South African Music Awards (SAMA) won 12 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 instroduced new award cartegory, Dr Thomas Chauke Album of the year ^[5]

Studio albums

With a career spanning over 34 years, he has released over 34 studio albums which have reached Gold, Platinum or Double Platinum over the years.

Albums and Compilations:

Shimatsatsa No. 1- Nyoresh
Shimatsatsa No. 2 – Don't Be Afraid
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?
Shimatsatsa No.20 – Magidi – Mbirhi
Shimatshana No. 21 – Mpfende Mpfendesama 2001 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
Shimatsatsa No. 33 - Basopa
Shimatsatsa No. 34 - Xiganga

References

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