Tale of a well packaged Zimbabwean piece of art
As early as pre school, Tendai Madzviti was already a music lover who used to force his classmates to sing with him so as to entertain their parents. At Grade 2 his amazing dance moves saw him up for grabs to be part of bridal teams in weddings. As he moved up the ladder in primary, Tendai was an active member of the choir and traditional dance. He even was the youngest choir master when he was only in Grade three!.
Today, Tendai Madzviti popularly known as Tendex is a singer, dancer, choreographer and actor proving that one can have it all if they are truly talented. In secondary school, Tendai started writing music and after doing well in his O level he pursued an artistic program at the Zimbabwe college of music. Talk about legends who have passed through the same college doors – Countless! It is during his tertiary days he fell in love with acting.
The universe seemed to be on his side as he scooped a fight ticket to Mozambique for the production of Umoja in 2011. A lot of unforseen challenges arose that made him man up and realign his dreams. However, against all odd, he was selected to be the voice of Zimbabwe at the prestigious event. Again, in 2012 he was selected to represent Zimbabwe at the same stage. It was at that event that he shared the stage with award winning songstress and guitarist Zahara.
Tendai was to later tour Europe with artists which included Jamaram from Germany in 2014 and 2015. But where did the name Tendex comes from. The ever jovial Tendai recalls, ” I am very bad at coming up with names, Kudzi Chihuri is the one who gave me the nickname when we were young and my Uncle Eddy Mushonga added star in front because of what he saw in me and so my full stage name became Tendexstar”
Indeed he is a star as he already has acting awards after playing Raffiki in the lion king at reps theater, Zimabwe. He won best actor and best newcomer. His dedication in everything he does saw him feature in the popular Zimbabwean series, Wenera and is part of of another series called Bundu which airs on DSTV channel 293. For the latter role, he was nominated for Outstanding Male TV actor. Surprisingly, the writer discovered that Tendai steps into the Tendex character in his day to day life. He says, Tendai is a shy person, scared of people and their opinions and very sensitive.
On the other hand, the artist in him (Tendex) is a goal getter, unapologetic and gets things done. Both are out there for the sole purpose of uplifting someone and being a voice of someone. Asked what is going to be the climax for him, he softly responded, “When I have made it not only in Zimbabwe but world wide which is my 2024 goal.”
For a man who has been Ammara Brown’s leading backing vocalist, with his sound recorded at JP studios and produced at Monolio studios by Mono Mukundu, the sky cannot be limit. He describes his band, the luggards as dynamic, vibrant and creative young group. He identifies as afro traditional or afro pop when it comes to music as he still choreographs Ammara Brown’s stage dances as well as Vimbai Zimutos’s. What a package of art well hidden in the arts of Zimbawe! To top it off, Tendai is a holder of an ethnomusicology degree which he completed in 2017.
There you have it folks, who needs specialization when you can do it all!
