The delicate art of glassmaking in the Battlefields

When it comes to the Battlefields, a region rich with the history of several wars waged on its plains over a period of 80 years in the 1800s, it’s hard to imagine a craft as delicate and intricate as glassmaking calling it home.

But that’s exactly what Glamosa Glass is doing. Twelve years after its establishment in Elandsfontein near Germiston, Gauteng, the company set up shop in the town of Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal in 1970. The factory still operates in Estcourt to this day and is known as South Africa's biggest manufacturer of opal (aka opaque, milk, or white glass).

In its early days, Glamosa started with manufacturing and crafting colourful glass mosaics – which is what inspired their name -  Glamosa – which marries the words Glass and Mosaic. However, the company has since shifted its focus to manufacturing their more practical glass items – like lampshades, homewares, and containers etc. While it may not be their main focus any longer, the infrastructure and ability to craft colourful glass mosaics on request is still available.

And glass-making isn't just limited to producing run-of-the-mill household items, Durban-based glass-blowing artist Guido van Besouw creates intricate glass products - from vases to paperweights - that are masterpieces. These can be viewed at his showroom in Assagay - just a short 2-hour drive from the Battlefields for those looking to delve deeper into KZN glassworks.

So, how is glass made?

Glass actually starts out as opaque sand - which might be hard to believe considering the appearance of its final form.

The sand, rich in silicon dioxide, is then put through an intense heating process to turn it into a liquid form of sand - this is what gets morphed, blown and moulded, on long metal rods, into glass forms.

Because of the heating processes, the sand's chemical structure changes causing it to become transparent - in its molten state, the glass can be tinted with other materials to create intricate and colourful glass designs when cooled.

You can get a behind the scenes look for yourself...

Visitors in the Battlefields region can book an informative guided tour through the Glamosa factory to witness and experience the full behind the scenes processes of glassmaking – from blowing, pressing, and spinning the glass to the packaging stage. There’s also an on-site gift store for those looking to take home a little piece of Glamosa – like one of their signature and stunning glass vases or art glasses.

Nestled in Estcourt, within a short driving distance from family fun activities like the Drakensberg mountains, thriving rivers for fishing endeavours, and tranquil game lodges and reserves – the factory makes for a fun and crafty stop when trekking through the upper regions of KZN.