Thomas Chauke Explained
| Dr. Thomas Chauke |
| Birth Name: | Thomas Hasani Chauke |
| Alias: | Shinyori |
| Birth Date: | 1952 2, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Saselemani, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Genre: | Xitsonga |
| Years Active: | 1979–present |
Dr Thomas Hasani "Shinyori" Chauke (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 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 discs, 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
Notes and References
- Web site: Tsonga disco king - City Press . 2015-01-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150119114442/http://www.citypress.co.za/entertainment/tsonga-disco-king/ . 19 January 2015 . dmy-all .
- Web site: At home with Thomas Chauke . DRUM . 2013-05-25 . 2017-01-05.
- Web site: MTN SAMA 19 HONOURS SIZWE ZAKO, Dr THOMAS CHAUKE & RALPH JOHN RABIE (Johannes Kerkorrel) - 19TH ANNUAL MTN SA MUSIC AWARDS . 2013-05-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130510202801/http://samusicawards.co.za/profiles/blogs/mtn-sama-19-honours-sizwe-zako-dr-thomas-chauke-ralph-john-rabie- . 10 May 2013 . dmy-all .
- Web site: Honorary doctorate for Xitsonga musician . 2019-02-17 . dmy-all .
- Web site: Music veterans to be honoured at SA Music Awards | Arts and Culture | Music | M&G . Mg.co.za . 2017-01-05.
- Web site: Thomas Chauke Audio Streaming . Xitsongaonline.co.za . 2017-01-05.
