The internationally acclaimed South African composer and songwriter Jonathan Butler was awarded an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University (SU) at the institution's March graduation ceremony on Monday (24 March 2025). Butler received the degree Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa, at a graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Butler was honoured for his musical influence and contributions to arts and culture as a composer, songwriter and performer, and his dedication to creating platforms that ensure access to the arts for young people from marginalised communities.
In his acceptance speech, Butler said “this moment is a dream fulfilled, one that has come through beyond anything I could ever ask, think or imagine. It is a glorious day, one that I will carry in me for the rest of my life. I stand before you deeply humbled. I am filled with gratitude and joy."
He added that the degree is not just for himself, but also for his family.
Butler said what he lacked in formal education due to circumstances, he received through music.
“Music became my teacher, my guide, my compass. Music has taught me discipline, courage, creativity and resilience. The journey was not easy for me. I wanted to use music to bring the world together, to make this world a better place, to see change in people's lives, to see change in communities."
He told the new graduates that they will have their own race to run and their own trees to chop down. “Sometimes you will get weary and tired, and you'll have to stop and regroup. But I say, if you start right, you will end right.
Following his acceptance speech, Butler entertained the attendees by singing some of his songs.
More about Butler
Although he lived under the shadow of Apartheid and faced hardship while growing up in Belgravia Estate in Athlone, Cape Town, Jonathan Kenneth Butler was one of the first artists of colour to be played on South African radio and appear on national television at a time of severe racial segregation.
As the youngest of 12 children in a family that played music to make ends meet, he began touring at the age of seven when he joined a travelling stage show and was later signed up to perform on a string of hit recordings, turning him into a local teen idol. Butler later became one of the key voices in the international arena advocating for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners.
Having already made a name for himself in Africa and the United Kingdom (UK), it was not until 1987, when he toured as pop star Whitney Houston's opening act, that Butler was noticed in the United States. His final breakthrough came that same year with his Grammy-nominated hit single “Lies", which reached #27 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and peaked at #18 on the UK Official Singles Chart. Around that time, his and Ruby Turner's cover version of the Staple Singers song “If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)" also reached #30 in the UK. He has continued his success with the release of over 28 albums including several gospel projects, with one that features the revered “Falling In Love with Jesus".
Despite his international acclaim, Butler has remained true to his roots. He is the first Global Entertainment Ambassador for the Lalela Foundation, which provides educational arts for at-risk youth. Through its arts curriculum and critical messaging, Lalela directly serves more than 5 000 South African learners per week.
Butler continues to make popular music in multiple genres and tours the world. On his latest album, Ubuntu, he realised another dream of having iconic artist Stevie Wonder perform on his cover version of Wonder's song “Superwoman".
- Photo: Dr Jonathan Kenneth Butler at the graduation ceremony. Photographer: Stefan Els
