Tweyapewa Mbendeka

Tweyapewa Mbendeka Ndapandula (b. 1991, Oshilemba/Namibia) is a Namibian contemporary artist and art educator. Born and raised in Namibia, he grew up surrounded by layered visual influences from colonial-era military statues and abandoned German forts to vibrant township murals expressing communal joy and resistance.

Despite limited resources in his rural village near Omugulugwombashe/Namibia, he developed an early passion for art, creating wire cars and clay figures. In 2014, his talent was recognized by his sister and artist Acofel Ilovu, who encouraged him to pursue formal training. He studied at the College of the Arts (COTA) in Windhoek/Namibia, earning a Diploma in Visual Art and Craft in 2018, and later continued at the University of Namibia (UNAM), completing his Honours in Visual Arts in 2024.

Through his academic and artistic journey, Tweyapewa Mbendeka Ndapandula became increasingly engaged with the visual politics of place, memory, and cultural identity. Working across ceramics, mixed media, painting, and mural art, his practice draws inspiration from Namibian cultural narratives, particularly stories shared by his grandmother.

Since 2015, he has participated in numerous workshops, exhibitions, and art events across Namibia and in Cape Town/South Africa. Alongside his studio practice, he works as an art educator at Lighthouse Community Centre in Damara Location, Windhoek, where he teaches pottery classes.