Case study: At 82 years old, Maggie Mogase is no ordinary gogo. She is the entrepreneurial co-founder of Maggie’s Original Mageu, a business that manufactures and distributes the traditional maize-based fermented drink in South Africa. After starting on a small scale in 2006, Maggie accessed assistance from Small Enterprise Development Agency and funding from the Technology Transfer Fund (TTF), which has enabled her to grow the concept and supply supermarkets across Garankuwa and neighbouring areas. Mageu is the generic name for the non-dairy, non-alcoholic energy-giving beverage used by many of the maize-consuming populations in Africa. “My recipe was first formulated by my loving grandmother, the late Mrs. Sapula Pooe, during the great famine of 1933,” says Maggie. “This was a difficult time in our history where crops failed, scores of livestock perished and lots of people died of starvation. Faced with the challenge of feeding fourteen grandchildren, my grandmother decided to make a tasty nourishing meal for us. This is how our Original Mageu was born and like my grandmother, I have passed the recipe down to my grandchildren who are now my business partners.” Maggie was referred to SEDA and was encouraged to apply for funding from the TTF in 2006. TTF assists small businesses to improve their competitiveness through technology transfer and pays for technical training. After being assessed by a SEDA Technology Fund project officer, Maggie's Original Mageu received funding to acquire bottling, labelling, cooling and flavouring equipment, which enabled the business to scale up production whilst improving capacity, quality and efficiency. SEDA is currently assisting the business with a quality management assessment, and will continue to provide advice and support as the business grows. Maggie’s story proves that you’re never too old to start a business. Aspiring entrepreneurs like Maggie can access information, resources and services through SEDA branches.