Tichawona was born in Mabvuku, Harare in 1970.  He excelled at painting in his youth and became interested in carving by observing his uncle - Fabian Madamombe.  His uncle is married to the renowned female sculptor, Colleen Madamombe.  When visiting his grandmother he would often observe Fabian working on animal, abstract and fugure sculptures in springstone and opal stone.  After school he started working with his uncle and learning to create the 'Madamombe' happy ladies and abstracts that have become well known in many circles.  "The pieces I do are of women.  The hard work they put in life.  I also do abstracts which have more power and feeling."