The Kalahari Recycled Glass Bead Manufacturing (KRB) funded under the Social Security Commission – Development Fund and implemented by the Desert Research Foundation is a recycle glass bead project. The project uses waste glass material and turn it into glass beads which are sold as is or as necklaces, bracelets and earrings. KRB employs 8 San women on a permanent basis and is situated in Drimiopsis approximately 48 kilometres from the regional capital Gobabis. Drimiopsis, a fast-growing village soon to be declared a settlement.
KRB remained a dream on paper since 2018 but came into being in December 2021 starting with a plot overgrown with trees and bushes. Two men were employed on a temporary basis to debush the plot with very motivated and eager women jumping in to assist whenever they could. Additionally, KRB provided temporary employment to a 6-member fencing team and a 5-member building construction team. A local San construction company was contracted to build the workshop and storage.
Fencing of the project site started in December 2021 and although completion was delayed by weather conditions and festive season activities progress was made fast and the fence completed in February 2022.Construction of the workshop space and storage is near completion. KRB will soon take ownership of the building and continue with production, advertising, and sales.
An 8-member steering committee monitored the construction work and other project activities. The steering committee consists of local Drimiopsis members, Farm Development Committee, DRFN and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. The mandate of the steering committee is to guide and play an advisory role to the project.
