Thomas Chauke

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 category, 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