Dr Thomas Hasani "Shinyori" Chauke (born 5 February 1952) is a South African Xitsonga musician. Chauke was granted an honorary doctorate in African languages for the role his music has played in the development of the Xitsonga language.
Early life
Chauke was born in Salema (Saselamani) Village in the
Limpopo Province
Limpopo is the northernmost Provinces of South Africa, province of South Africa. It is named after the Limpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The capital and largest city in the province is Polokwane, while th ...
, South Africa. He dropped out of school at primary level (Standard 3/Grade 5) 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
Sandton is an upscale commercial and residential district north of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. It forms part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The name of the city came from the combination of two of its suburbs, ...
. 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. Chauke had five wives, 23 children and 12 grandchildren.
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
Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Demo ...
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. 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.
Awards and accomplishments
* Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree, African languages
University of Venda
The University of Venda (Univen; ve, Yunivesithi ya Venḓa, af, Universiteit van Venda) is a South Africa, South African comprehensive rural-based institution, located in Thohoyandou in Limpopo, Limpopo province. It was established in 1982 u ...
* 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
Discography
With a career spanning over 34 years, he has released over 34 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''
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chauke, Thomas
South African musicians
People from Limpopo
Living people
1952 births