Thomas Chauke


Dr Thomas Hasani "Shinyori" Chauke 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 Village in Limpopo Province, South Africa. He dropped out of school at primary level. Chauke has five wives and 23 children.

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. 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 discs, 11 double platinum and nine triple platinum discs.

Awards and accomplishments

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
  • Shimatsatsa No. 19 - I Mutshiveri Muni?
  • Shimatsatsa No.20 – Magidi – Mbirhi
  • Shimatshana No. 21 – Mpfende Mpfende
  • 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
  • Shimatsatsa No. 30 - Jehovha
  • Shimatsatsa No. 31 – Dokodela
  • Shimatsatsa No. 32 - Virus-Computer ya nhloko "Sold a remarkable Gold within 2 Days of release"
  • Shimatsatsa No. 33 - Basopa
  • Shimatsatsa No. 34 - Xiganga
  • Shimatsatsa No. 35 - Majagani
  • ''Shimatsatsa No. 36 - Xikungu''