On Friday 12 November 2021, Dr Thomas Chauke received his Doctorate of Performing Arts (Honoris Causa) degree for promoting music as a universal language that transcends racial, ethnic, and cultural barriers at Tshwane University Of Technology.

Chauke was amongst the former President Kgalema Motlanthe and the other three individuals who were conferred honorary doctorates for their valuable contributions in the fields of Performing Arts, Public Affairs and Science. The ceremony was held at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria Campus.

This isn’t the first honorary doctorate for Dr Thomas Chauke, in 2010 he was conferred an honorary doctorate of Philosophy in Xitsonga at the University Of Venda. As a musical icon, Chauke is celebrated for his pioneering developments in Xitsonga Music. The 69 year old started his band during the 1970’s with 13 singers, at the Gramophone Records Company .

As a musician he has won South African Music Awards (SAMA) 16 times, won more than 10 Munghana Lonene FM Awards, MTN SAMA 19 Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Chauke is well known for his hypnotic sound of the electric guitar and all his albums have achieved gold, platinum, double platinum  and multi-platinum status. Many of his songs are about families, marriage , love scial probelms, the youth and nation building.