The Ngwenya glass factory
Swaziland in Africa - you think of elephants, hippos, rhinos, giraffes ... but there is also glass.
On this page: Ngwenya — Parents: Afrika › Swasiland — Photography, Technology & Science at the Tenckhoff Photo Archive.
Ngwenya, located in western Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), is best known for its renowned glassblowing tradition. The Ngwenya Glass Factory is one of the country’s most important cultural and artisanal landmarks. Using recycled glass, local artists create intricate vessels, sculptures, and decorative objects that are admired far beyond the region.
For photographers, the fascination lies in the interplay of craftsmanship, fire, and artistic expression. Inside the workshop, a unique atmosphere unfolds: glowing furnaces, the rhythmic work of the glassblowers, and the precise gestures with which molten material is transformed into delicate artworks. The combination of heat, light, and movement offers endless photographic opportunities – from close-ups of tools to portraits of the focused artisans.
The Ngwenya Glass Factory is not only a production site but also a symbol of sustainability. Most of the material used is recycled glass, collected and repurposed, making the work both traditional and environmentally conscious.
The Tenckhoff Photo Archive captures this unique fusion of art, craft, and ecological awareness. The photographs from Ngwenya vividly illustrate how fire and glass merge into fragile beauty – and how photography preserves the fleeting moments of this creative process.