Visitors to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site can experience the magic of glassblowing five days a week (including the last full weekend of the month) at the Shades of Ngwenya Glass Factory in Muldersdrift.
Every day over a thousand kilograms of glass is crushed before being melted down overnight at a staggering 1 400°C in a furnace.
In the morning, when the glass melt has cooled down to a "manageable" 1 200°C, the glass-masters begin to weave their centuries-old magic drawing the glass out, blowing it into bulbous shapes, turning and twisting it into vases, bowls, jars, fluted glasses and flasks.
This glass wonderland where you can watch the ancient art of glassblowing at work and buy fabulous handmade recycled glassware is the hub of the Ngwenya Glass Village. It includes another 12 shops.
Thirteen years ago Shades of Ngwenya was merely a glassblowing and glassmaking factory, now it's a bustling, thriving village with a vision.
It employs over a 100 people and has expansion plans for the future.
Founded in Swaziland by the Prettejohn family, Ngwenya Glass bought an existing glassworks in the industrial heart of Germiston in 1993 where they made lampshades.
They quickly realised that they needed to be more accessible so that visitors could be part of the glass blowing experience and buy their merchandise.
In 1994 they were incorporated into the Crocodile River Arts and Crafts Ramble in Muldersdrift (just off Beyers Naude Drive and close to the R28 highway linking Pretoria and Krugersdorp), which is open every day of the year and offers a unique world of country pleasures.
Their incorporation into Crocodile River Arts and Crafts Ramble - an ideal location for conferences and vacations, offering a diverse mix of products, including hotels, game farms and lodges, artists and crafters, as well as adventure activities - saw their 50m² shop selling more glass within half a year than all the shops they supplied to in Johannesburg.
However, for everyone involved in the village, the creation of employment is a priority, hence several initiatives are under way to expand the village's current offering.
A craft school has been established in conjunction with the Gauteng Craft Initiative and the Small Enterprise Development Agency that will also see life skills and economics training included, while onsite designers will see that the crafters are kept abreast of the latest trends.
In conjunction with the development agency, Chas Prettejohn at Ngwenya Glass has submitted a proposal for the establishment of a South African glass school. Prettejohn is still awaiting the final decision.
- Ngwenya Glass Village is at Shady Lane, Muldersdrift. Tel: 011 796 3000 for more information.