Cape Town – Proving that age is nothing but a number when pursuing your dreams, appliances queen Margaret Hirsch has bagged herself a Master of Business (MBA) degree at the age of 70.
Having a successful chain of appliance stores was not enough for Hirsch, who has added an MBA from Regent Business School to her string of academic achievements.
“I really enjoyed my student experience and studying was fantastic. I am proud to have got my MBA at the age of 70, and it is never too late to study no matter how old you are.
“My message for the youth of today is not to be discouraged. Keep your head high and know that if you put in the work, you will be successful,” she said.
Hirsch was born in Zimbabwe and after her father passed away when she was 12 years old, she moved to Pietermaritzburg with her mother, who struggled to raise two children on a meagre income.
Her mother had no choice but to put Hirsch in a foster home until she could get a job and get the financial stability to bring her daughter home.
Eventually she remarried and Hirsch attended Russell High School in Pietermaritzburg.
“I was determined not to end up like my mother and started working as a hair washer to earn money. After matriculating in 1967, I studied typing and became a secretary.
“In 1979, my husband and I started a family-run appliance business in a tiny showroom on uMhlanga Rocks Drive, Durban, with just R900 that we had saved,” Hirsch said.
Hirsch’s greatest strengths are her determination and drive.
She also holds a Higher Certificate in Retail Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from Regent Business School.
Hirsch is currently completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing.
In addition, Hirsch has attained various certificates in customer relationship management, organisational psychology and human behaviour, and journalism.
Cape Times