Bio
Mishka Loesch (née Patel) is a South African model and television presenter best known for being one of the Top 12 finalists in the 2014 Miss South Africa pageant.
Originally from Idasvalley, a small town near Stellenbosch, she was raised in a very strict religious household and her modelling career only started when she entered for Miss South Africa at the age of 21.
Mishka studied Marketing Management at Varsity College and she presents success classes for young girls from underprivileged communities.
In 2015 she was one of the Top 11 finalists on the SABC3 reality competition Presenter Search on 3, which happens sporadically when the channel is searching for new presenters.
Although she didn't progress further on that show, she got noticed and landed a presenting job on the second season of the SABC3 reality competition series Win a Home. She and fellow presenter Khanya Siyengo replaced Season 1 presenters Cindy Nell-Roberts, Tumi Voster and Maps Maponyane.
Miss SA Q&A
Region
Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Western Cape
Age
21
Occupation
I have studied business management through Unisa and also want to do a tourism course. I love travelling and learning about new and undiscovered places. I am also a model at D&A Model Management and am a part time promoter.
What lessons did you learn during The Road to Miss SA TV shoot at Sun City?
Hard work, determination and perseverance pay off. There were times that many of us felt like crying and giving up but we didn't. Giving up wasn't an option. We were stronger than we realised.
What were the highlights of your Sun City stay?
The friendships I made. I met 11 incredible women, each with such amazing and inspiring stories. We've become a small family and each other's support systems.
Why do you want to be Miss SA and what do you think you will be able to bring to the role?
I have the motivation, ambition and confidence to become an inspirational ambassador to the youth of South Africa. I want to inspire people to start believing in themselves, to start living their dreams and to start fighting for what they want.
I want to help the youth of South Africa by simply being an inspiring and positive figure they can look up to, not only as Miss South Africa, but as a friend. I want to spread the message: If you can dream it, you can do it. It simply starts with you.
Who is a previous Miss SA who has inspired you?
Melinda Bam inspires me because not only is she incredibly beautiful and intelligent, but she does so many good things in the community. Anybody can simply look up to her, not only the youth of South Africa. Her determination and motivation is so inspiring.
In one of her interviews she said: "You have to have motivation, ambition and confidence to become an inspiring ambassador to South Africa and the youth of South Africa" and those exact words made me realise that I have what it takes, to follow my dreams, and enter for Miss South Africa.
Who are your role models?
The person I look up to most in this world has to be my mom. Her hard work, love and support she's given our family has truly inspired me to work hard and make her proud. The way she raised me and all her efforts has guided me into becoming the woman I am today. I strive to be the strong, confident and amazing woman she is. I will always be grateful to her for the 21 wonderful years she spent sculpting me into who I am today.
Tell us a bit more about your family?
My dad's name is Shu-ayb; he is a non-executive director serving on Boards of Directors of companies, the biggest being the SA Post Office Board. He is one of the hardest working, inspiring and loving dad's any girl can ask for.
My mother's name is Shenaaz. She is 45 years old; she's a home executive and has been for all of her life raising me and my 25 year old brother. We also had a new addition to the family two years ago, when the cutest, bright-eyed little angel was born, my baby sister, Sholah. My brother is an IT technician at Compuscan in Techno Park, Stellenbosch.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love to read, I love the gym and the outdoors. I love hiking. Staying fit and exercising is very important to me. I like to be and feel healthy. Other than that I am a typical girly girl, who loves shopping and spending spare time with my family and friends.
2014 is the year in which SA celebrates its 20th year of democracy – what does that mean to you?
It means that what people thought would never happen, has been happening for 20 years. It means that for 20 years, people of diverse race, colour and gender have had the right to be heard, to raise their voice and opinion and the right to be "free".
What is your message to young girls and young women in South Africa?
Young girls/women today tend to forget that they can be "someone" and that, in any circumstances, they can work for a better life. I see girls as young as 13 with babies and they simply just stop living after that.
I want to remind young girls and young women that it doesn't matter what circumstances you face, what challenges you encounter or how hard things might feel at that moment - with the right determination and mind-set you can be whatever you want to be, and you can be who you are meant to be.
Everybody can dream, But only some people live theirs. It's all about determination.
If you won the Miss SA crown and was able to meet one person, who would it be and why?
Charlize Theron - I see her as an inspirational South African figure. She was born and bred here. And after facing terrible circumstances with her family, she rose above it, followed a dream and made it happen. Today she is an inspiring and successful woman that any young woman or women can look up to!
What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am blind without my reading glasses and I am insanely scared of moths.
What are you reading?
Veronica Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho. It's an international bestseller. This book simply reminds us that every moment in our lives is special and precious.
What is on your iPod?
I literally listen to all kinds of music. I love a good beat and music that makes me dance to it and music that makes me gym harder! Definitely music with lyrics that I can relate to as well.
Your favourite TV show?
I don't watch a lot of TV; I am more the series or movies kind of girl when I get the time. But when I do watch TV, I tend to always end up watching channel 170 or 171 on DStv. Dr G Medical Examiner is one of my favourites. I find it interesting to learn new medical terms and see how an investigation proceeds, how the criminal is caught and how justice is served. The second TV show I like is MasterChef - I love food!
Your favourite meal?
I love sushi or salmon with vegetables
Anything else you would like to add?
I am a hardworking, kind and warm hearted, girl-next-door kind of person. I love to help where I can; I am the biggest animal lover in the world. I have two cats and a dog but had all kinds of pets growing up - from fishes, rabbits, birds to hamsters too! I have the biggest love for life, and I tend to share this love with everyone I meet.