The Story of Ngwenya Glass

Ngwenya Glass began in 1979 in the hills of Eswatini, not as a business idea, but as a belief that meaningful work builds character, and character shapes everything that follows. From the beginning, this was about people as much as product. About giving discarded glass, and overlooked potential, a second life.

 

What started as a small glassblowing project quickly became a place where local men and women learned a rare craft and built pride in their work. Bottles that once held no value were transformed by hand into something lasting. Each piece carried the character of the person who made it, their skill, patience and care.

No two pieces are ever the same.

 

When the factory closed in the 1980s, the loss went far beyond glass. Skills were left unused. Livelihoods disappeared. A sense of purpose was taken with it.

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In 1987, Ngwenya Glass was given another chance. A family who believed deeply in the craft and the people behind it took on the challenge of reviving the factory. They weren’t glassmakers. They were believers in character, in community, and in the idea that good things are worth protecting. Together with the artisans, they rebuilt what had been lost.

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Today, Ngwenya Glass still stands for those same values.

Every piece is handmade using 100% recycled glass. Nothing is hurried. Nothing is mass-produced. Each object reflects the character of its maker and the place it comes from. Honest, imperfect, and full of life. As a proud member of SWIFT (Swaziland Fair Trade), Ngwenya Glass is committed to fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical trade practices that put people and the environment first.

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Ngwenya Glass has never been just about glass.

The brand invests in education, environmental responsibility, and wildlife conservation. It protects the land that supplies it and supports the people who shape it. The factory has become one of Eswatini’s most loved destinations, where visitors can watch molten glass take form and see character forged in real time.

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Ngwenya Glass is about transformation.

Of materials.

Of people.

Of communities.

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From recycled glass to renewed livelihoods, every piece carries character and a story that deserves to be told, used, and passed on.