Miss South Africa Top12 Finalist, Miss Veet South Africa runner-up, Miss Earth South Africa National finalist and recently #Top10 Contestant On SABC 3’s Presenter Search, MC, Lover of Animals and a drive for success! Yes, 23 Year Old Mishka Patel ain’t allowing her dreams slip from her grasp so easily… We’ve managed to catch up with her after her elimination last night.
1. Who is Mishka Patel?
“I am a hardworking d motivated woman. I am a dreamer, believer and go-getter. I am passionate and and a lover of life. I take big chances and I dream crazy-big dreams: I will end up at the edge of a cliff and I will definitely jump. Sometimes I will fall and most times I fly. Either way, I live & I learn and then I will jump off the next cliff. Many doors close, and that is okay. I am a fighter, and when one door closes, I know 2 more will open.”
2. 2014 was a super great year for you, tell us all the things you were involved in…
“Miss South Africa, Miss Veet South Africa, Miss Earth South Africa, Started MC’ing and Motivational speaking.”
Mishka is ambassador for/ sponsored by:
- Urban Beauty Anti-aging Spa
- Minelliart Celebrity Nail Stylist
- Danielle Margaux
- Francois le Roux- For the Winning consultants
- Adidas- Running
- Eugene Beukes Personal fitness Training
- StyleBar
- Edo Mostert Photography
- Kim van Zyl Photography
- Big I Design
- Juice Revolution
- No Limit Events and Designs
Mishka is also the spokesperson For:
- Toys For Africa
- ErgoSport Models
- Child Welfare South Africa, Stellenbosch
- Elephants Alive organisation
- Lee Bromley Golf Foundation
- CMIYC (catch me if you Can CPT)
- R4R (Ribbons for Roses)
- JAG Foundation: BullyProof
3. What were the similarities between the Miss SA and Miss Earth SA Pageants?
“Both teach you great life skills and lessons, it prepares you for so many different challenges and opportunities life gives to you and it grooms you. I can honestly say Miss South Africa opened my mind to see greater and bigger things. My life started the day I entered for Miss South Africa.”
4. How did these pageants make you stronger?
“It made me see that with enough hard work and determination, NOTHING is impossible. A small town girl from Idasvalley in Stellenbosch ending up in the National top12 for Miss SA? Top 10 for Presenter Search on 3? It doesn’t simply just happen, it takes hard work. I was determined enough to MAKE it happen.”
5. What made you enter the #PresenterSearchOn3?
“I love to entertain. I love the camera. I love setting new challenges for myself. Due to being a MC, I thought presenting could be the next big step for me. Being the youngest and least experienced contestant was surely hard, but I have grown so much and learnt a whole set of new skills!”
6. What has been your greatest memory through your journey as a finalist on the #PresenterSearchOn3 Competition?
“Definitely my last challenge: The Travelogue insert I had to do at Monkey Town. I absolutely love animals, so being given the opportunity to work with baby monkeys was a dream come true! Though I have to admit, presenting and interviewing someone with a monkey biting your arm was quite hard!”
7. Did the elimination come to you as surprise? Why or Why Not?
“I knew I stood a chance of being in the bottom 3, due to the fact that the baby monkey, Morgan, didn’t really play along for my intro link. There were a lot of factors that made my insert hard regarding monkeys either biting me or throwing me with stones… & that threw me off, but I didn’t feel like I deserved to be eliminated. BUT there’s a reason for everything.”
8. Your message to the young girls out there in South Africa…
“If you can dream it, you sure as hell can do it. The sky is not the limit, the sky is only the beginning. With enough hard work & determination, nothing is impossible.”
9. Who is your role model and why?
“My mother. She is such a good example of a strong, wise woman who never stops being positive no matter what’s thrown at her. She’s recently been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and she remains so so positive and strong.”
10. 2014 was Great! What are you plans for this year?
“You will just have to wait and see 😉 Now that Presenter Search is over, I am very excited to take my studies further, (Marketing management in June) and to take My MC’ing and business (Limitless Success) to a whole new level. There might be something very exciting to share in June, but… Watch This Space!”
Fun Facts about Mishka Patel
1. Your Favourite Meal?
“Oh I love sushi!”
2. Jeans Or Dresses?
“I can be put in a ballgown or in a hoodie and slops, I am normal down to earth Stellenbosch girl, but who doesn’t like dressing up?”
3. One thing you would like to change about South Africa?
“There are a few things I’d change, but for now I’d rather BE the change I want to see, and I feel more people should live by that statement.”
4. My Celeb Crush Is…
“Ohhhhh Channing Tatum 😉 haha!”
5. Favourite Series?
“I love South Park funny enough, but right now I am watching the ‘Following’.”
From the DS Team, we wish you all the best for this year and the future! We know you’re going to take home many more accolades considering how determined and passionate you are about what you do. All the best Mishka!
