'Music has been my compass,' says PhD recipient Jonathan Butler
Butler received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at a graduation ceremony from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on Monday.
Internationally acclaimed South African composer and songwriter Jonathan Butler has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University on 24 March 2025. Picture: Stefan Els
CAPE TOWN - Internationally acclaimed South African composer and songwriter Jonathan Butler has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University.
Butler received a Doctor of Philosophy degree at a graduation ceremony from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on Monday.
He 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.
The Take Good Care of Me hitmaker was one of the first artists of colour to have his music played on South African radio and to appear on national TV.
This while living under the shadow of Apartheid and facing hardship while growing up in Belgravia, in Athlone.
"As a little boy growing up in a sinkhuis, no running water, electricity, I often wondered what life would be like for me if I had formal education....but God had other plans for my life.
"For what I lacked in education, I received through music. Music became my teacher, my guide, my compass."