To provide employment and income to members of the comminity, mostly women, in Leonardville Namibia. We clean up the environment by collecting cocoons of the Gonometa Postiga which is seen as a threat to livestock and game. Animals feed upon thees dry cocoons and it results into severe rumen impaction or sometimes death. Because there is no other source of income in this community, we collect the cocoons and process it into a Wild natural silk from which we spun yarn and weave products by hand, like scarfs, shawls and bedthrows.

Because the project is not self sustainable at this point in time, we want to raise money so that 52 women can still work at this factory and earn imcome to sustain their families.

Until recently, the moth Gonometa Postiga was seen as a threat to livestock and game farming on the fringes of the Kalahari in the Omaheke and Hardap regions. The moth hatches from cocoons which are spun by larvae on Camel thron and blackthorn including prospis trees upon which the larvae feeds before pupation.

Today, the collection of wild slk and processing it into various yarn and silk products provides employment and income to members of the community , mostly women in Leonardville.

Production of unique naturally woven products is taking place at the project factory in Leonardville. The products include a wide range of scarves, shawls, neck ties, bed covers, cushion covers and many more ...

Kalahari Wild Silk Manufacturers

is community based organization registered as a section 21 Company not having a share capital and an incorporated association not for gain. It is located at Leonardville Village Council in Aminuis Constituency of Omaheke Region, approximately 150 km west of Gobabis. Kalahari Wild Silk Manufacturers overall objective is to contribute to reduction of poverty and enhance secure livelihood among the target community. Through the provision of regular employment and income to members of the Leonardville community, through collection of wild silk cocoons and participating in processing the silk into yarns and silk product.

Until recently, the moth Gonometa Postiga was seen as a threat to livestock and game farming on the fringes of the Kalahari in the Omaheke and Hardap regions. The moth hatches from cocoons which are spun by larvae on Camel thorn, blackthorn and prosopis trees upon which the larvae feeds before pupating.  The animals feed on the dry cocoons, which cannot be digested, resulting in severe rumen impaction and sometimes even results in death. The cocoon collection contributes to environmental protection by reducing the livestock and game mortality. Furthermore, the collection forms a sustainable source of raw material for the wild silk production process. This is an environmental sound and safe way of controlling an otherwise threatening situation to the farming community in and around Leonardville.

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