Internationally acclaimed South African composer and songwriter Jonathan Butler described the moment he was bestowed an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University (SU) as a dream fulfilled.

Butler received the degree Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa, at a graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on Monday.

The university said 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 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.

Although he lived under the shadow of Apartheid and faced hardship while growing up in Belgravia Estate in Athlone, Cape Town, 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 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. He has continued his success with the release of over 28 albums including several gospel projects.

Butler is the first Global Entertainment Ambassador for the Lalela Foundation, which provides educational arts for at-risk youth.

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”.

Cape Times