Tendai Mushawepwere was born on November 17, 1972 in Mutoko. He was the third born in a family of three boys and one girl, and he is the elder brother of sculptor Dudzai Mushawepwere. He is of the Nzou Samanyanga Totem. Tendai grew up in Chitungwiza where he completed his primary education at Seke No. 1 Primary School and his ordinary Level at Seke No. 4 High School. At school, Tendai was good at drawing. He found it easy to carve contemporary visual art. Tendai started his sculpting career in 1994. He was taught by Chikuse Padzuwa and worked with him for two years. He became a full time artist when he decided to venture on his own in 1996. Mushawepwere is inspired to carve by black cultural history which is becoming defunct in carving. He wants to help revive this art with other artists like him. He also carves what he sees revolving around him in the present day. Tendai markets his art mostly to art collectors in Europe. His sculptures are presently being exhibited in Spirit of Africa Gallery in Kansas City, Moore Gallery in Birmingham, Sculpturen Galleries Sy It in Germany, and Cael Chapel in Glen Ellen, CA.