Go-getter Gugu begins to rumble
SHE is young, bright and using sugar cane to make her way to the top.
Gugulethu Masuku (36) is not only an emerging alcohol manufacturer but a budding entrepreneur who is changing the distillery world, one sugar cane brew at a time.
This creative woman, who was born in KwaDukuza but settled in
Heatonville outside Empangeni, is a proud owner of ‘Pergusus’, and personally produces gin and rum from her own sugar cane farm.
Her journey started when her cane plantation was affected by drought years ago.
She had to find ways to make a living and to profitably utilise what was left of her sugar cane harvest.
“My family has been farming sugar cane for many years and it’s been our business. But when we were affected by drought we couldn’t produce enough to make a profit.
“Sugar cane farming is simple, you grow the cane which is then exchanged at the mill for profit; but when the drought hit we were not making money and were operating at the loss.
“As a farmer I had to find other ways to earn a living and that’s how I got started,’ she said.
Gugulethu then started doing research and that’s when she found a way to transform sugar cane juices into luxury drinks, which turned into a lucrative business.
However, according to Gugulethu, it hasn’t been a smooth ride.
“It’s a very difficult industry because it’s male dominated and it’s hard to start up without the needed equipment and accreditation as well as a proper distillery.
“Equipment is costly and there aren’t many distilleries open to take in people to learn; being a woman also has its challenges,” said Gugulethu.
Already a graduate with a hospitality management qualification from Boston Business College, it was easy for her to undergo a distilling course and mentorship.
Soon, Gugulethu was making her own drinks under an accredited distillery, while continuing to learn the trade. Now, years later, this determined young woman is distilling Pergusus Rum and Machete Gin on her own and hopes to reach big supermarkets soon.
“I have received a compliance letter from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and am still working with the department and KZN Liquor to be fully compliant, so as to receive a micro manufacturing licence,” she said.