Hi All

Show topics to be covered include :

Debt counseling
Pay it Forward
Fitness and Nutrition
Careers

Get in touch at info@mishalmookrey.com if you would like to participate or know of people that it could help.

Would you like to be on the show?

Currently filming these show topics.

Know your national anthem?
Wealth creation – seeking first time home buyers.
What makes you a great leader?
Know a leader who inspires you?
Adversity breeds opportunity.

If you have a story to share, get in touch at info@mishalmookrey.com.
The Mishal Mookrey show – Inform, Inspire and Elevate.

LEADERSHIP

What is the Definition of Leadership?

Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. Leadership means so many different things to different people.

Instead of asking what it means in the grand scheme of things I am really asking myself what leadership means to me. How do I embody this magnificent thing called leadership that only a certain few seem to be successful at? Why is it that certain people live the life of their dreams and the masses seem to be stuck in the rat race? Why why why? So many questions and surely only I should have the answers for myself.

What do I know? I know that the more you read and learn about other people the more you learn about yourself. Reading about, listening too and engaging with the great leaders that came before us is stepping into their shoes for a moment. We vividly get to experience all their moments of glory and frustrations in our imagination, all in the hope that from their lessons learnt we will reach a new level of personal greatness.

The more I engage with people that challenge my thought process and opens up my thinking, the more I can experience of this world. The more I realise that only I can be my best self and nobody else, the more it pushes me to discover who I am, to reach my authentic self. It’s a continuous journey for me but what I do know for sure when I look at our current leaders throughout the world, is that they own their authentic self and embody “be the best in the world at what I do” mind-set.

Please note when I refer to leaders it doesn’t necessarily refer to Presidents and Dictators, Kings and Queens, CEO’s and A list stars. It refers to the everyday person who made a choice to be their own personal best, to own their authentic self and never let another person’s opinion become their reality. It refers to you and me.

A few of the Leaders I am looking forward to hear speak are Maria Ramos, Dan Ariely and Nouriel Roubini at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit. www.theleadershipsummit.co.za

I really have awakened to this whole concept of Leadership and how we all can be leaders if we so choose to. Deciding to be our personal best, striving for the improvement of our fellow man and to lead without a title ( read Robin Sharma’s latest book for more insight into this)all comes down to a daily choice we make as we wake up to start our day. Adding to this journey for me is the annual Discovery Invest Leadership Summit taking place on 21 September 2011, I will be attending and one of the featured speakers is Chris Anderson.

Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired magazine, is one of the most knowledgeable, insightful and articulate voices at the centre of the new economy. In a series of ground-breaking articles and books, he has identified important new trends in the economy and described new business models for seizing the business opportunities they represent.

 With his New York bestseller The Long Tail, Chris shares his thoughts on why the future of business will be about selling small quantities of more things to fewer people who want those things; how all of those small communities together make up a vast market potential, and how the efficiencies of digital and web technology make this possible.In 2007, Chris was placed as one of Time magazine’s top 100 most influential people in the world, his knowledge and insights are revolutionary.

I am looking forward to his insight, my show and intention of doing what I do is dependent on the medium of new media and I look forward to incorporating this into season 2 of The Mishal Mookrey Show.

Just got my ticket for The Discovery Invest Leadership Summit 2011, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 21 September 2011. They have an incredible line up of speakers who will share their leadership strategies and insights into global financial, economic and management issues.

Al Gore, former Vice President of the US and global opinion leader on climate change has been announced as the headline speaker at the Summit. 

The line-up also includes respected New York economics professor Dr Nouriel Roubini who was named on the Foreign Policy’s Top 100 and the Global Thinkers 2010 lists and Ricardo Semler, the MD of Brazil’s Semco S/A group and the author of bestsellers Maverick and The Seven-Day Weekend. Voted as one of Time magazines most influential people in the world, Chris Anderson editor-in-chief of Wired magazine and Dan Ariely, Professor of Psychology and Behavioural Economics at Duke University and New York Times bestselling author will also speak.

The Discovery Invest Leadership Summit would not be complete without some outstanding local African leadership, headlined by Graça Machel and Maria Ramos, both names which speak for themselves.

Follow the link for more details. https://www.theleadershipsummit.co.za/#/home

Just completed Robin Sharma’s “The Leader Who Had No Title” so I am looking forward to this leadership summit.

Weekdays from 5.30 to 7.30am Expresso broadcasts LIVE from a penthouse apartment in Sea Point, which has panoramic views of Table Mountain and the ocean. Ryno Swanepoel, Chase Watkins Jones and I got to join Michael Mol, Liezel van der Westhuizen, fitness guru Ewan Strydom and Kia Johnson live in studio.

It was exciting being on the set of South Africa’s top rated morning show and not to mention doing the Zumba at 5:30am. All in good fun I say. Great seeing my fellow finalists again as we related stories about our preparation for The Road to Finale. I know I have said this before, but this experience is just AWESOME.

Ordinarily I would get a R25 buzz cut from the barbershop up the road, sides No 1 and top trimmed please. But as a Top 12 Mr South Africa 2011 Finalist you get the perk of having your hair cut at the Thomas Jewell Salon of Pretoria. The ladies giving my hair full attention was Judy and Liandri, two of Thomas Jewell’s shining stars.  Big shout out to them for giving me my new 2011 look. These ladies will be at the Mr South Africa 2011 Crowning event taking place on 19 February 2011. I hope to see all of you there too, tickets available at computicket.

“Leadership is not a recipe, a protocol or system. It is a belief and a deeper understanding of responsibility that comes from introspection and interrogation. The values that underpin great leaders come from that place that is found by those who journey along the road of introspection, self-reflection and interrogation. We all need to undertake that journey” – Thabang Skwambane

Please have a read through my latest article published in the TIMES LIVE and SUNDAY TIMES EXTRA, as written by Nawhal Kara-Foster. The great thing about growing as individual is you become more your authentic self with time. Call it maturing, ageing, confidence, the list goes on, it is one of the great things, that no matter what your past – your future truly is up to YOU.

‘Cooler’ school geek sets sights on Mr SA title

Jan 22, 2011 11:28 PM

One of the 12 Mr South Africa 2011 finalist, Mishal Mookrey, has come a long way from the days when he was a school geek. He spoke to Nawhal Kara-Foster about growing as an individual, his career and the upcoming pageant

I was watching an interview yesterday with current Miss South Africa Bokang Montjane and she mentioned her causes being teenage pregnancy and violence. I am grateful that there is more people talking about Teenage Pregnancy and the long lasting effects that it has.

For me, talking about teenage pregnancy is such a personal cause. When an unplanned pregnancy occurs, the teenage girl, the woman, the mother bares the brunt. The brunt of society, of the responsibility, of the consequences and society often forgets that it takes two to tango.  As a person, as a man, I would like to engage with the youth, especially with the male youth on taking responsibility for one’s actions. We all have the power to choose, and when a young couple chooses to be sexually active, they should understand that they are saying to each other they have reached maturity. Unfortunately, not many of our youth are at that stage.

With The Communication Experiment, it is about engaging and talking about all these topics. Create an open environment for communication. Let the youth talk openly about sex, about how society has sexualised almost everything  and the peer pressure of becoming sexually active to fit in.

Please make contact if you would like further information and are able to help me get this initiative of the ground by mailing me, mishal@mishalmookrey.com, or contact me on 082 974 6140.

February 11, 2011 sees the Top 12 Finalists partake in The Official Mr. South Africa 2011 Charity Golf Day, with all proceeds going to The Chrysalis Foundation (www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za). I have never played golf before so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get some lessons. It’s been one of those things that has always been on my to do list, but I never got around to doing it. Today was that day and Wayne Bradley of Vodacom Golf Village (www.prorange.co.za) was the man of the moment as he coached me on the basics of the game.

The great thing about getting golfing instructions from Wayne is that he actually films you as your are hitting the ball, and then plays back the tape pointing out posture, swing technique  and handling of club. They even have fancy arrows and graphs and much more that shows you how it should all be done.

I look forward to seeing all of you at The Official Mr. South Africa 2011 Charity Golf Day, have a look at www.mrsa.co.za for more information or join the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=102211403189173.

The return of Football Friday turned out to be an enormous success with a capacity crowd as Cape Town showed it’s support. Ajax Cape Town put together a double header, with Vasco Da Gama taking on Supersport and Ajax CT vs Kaizer Chiefs. Supersport and Ajax CT came out tops and I think the big winners was us Capetonians as it truly was two awesome soccer matches played in an awesome stadium in the most awesomest city in the world, Cape Town.

Looking around at the supporters it was easy to see why football is considered everybody’s sport. I was fortunate to attend as a guest of Ajax CT, my team, and I look forward to more football fridays.

A global citizen with his feet firmly planted in South Africa, Mr SA 2011 finalist Mishal Mookrey strives to live a balanced life

The well-travelled Capetonian regards himself as an ordinary man doing extraordinary things. He cherishes the privilege of being a Mr South Africa 2011 Top 12 finalist and the responsibilities that lie ahead should be win the title.

The energetic Mookrey, who has a demanding work schedule, has entered the Mr SA 2011 contest as a personal challenge.

“It has always been my goal to enter a competition of this magnitude. To have come this far is testimony to my personal growth,” Mookrey says.

He says hosting his own show on Cape TV for the past two seasons has prepared him well for the future.

Mookrey feels very strongly about teenage pregnancy and school yard bullying.

“I would like to create a dialogue around these and many other pertinent issues facing the youth,” he says.

He says winning the Mr South Africa title would give him the perfect platform to pursue these issues. Mookrey has completed his motion picture production degree as well as business management course.

He brags about his cooking and says nothing beats running on the beach.

As written by  Bafana Mahlangu on 17 January 2011, available online at www.sowetanlive.co.za or newspaper edition of 17 January 2011.

As another year comes to an end, its almost a given to say… “Sjoe, but this year went by quickly”. As time waits for nobody what has been your personal highs and lows as you quietly reflect on the year passed. The FIFA World Cup was hosted for the first time on African soil and South Africa proved to the world, “Yes We Can”, we rejoiced as the trapped Chilean miners were freed and we all experienced the effects of the global recession in some way or another.

For me 2010 was a year of firsts.  It is a year in which I have experienced both good and bad and all of these experiences have allowed me to grow as an individual. From starting my own production company and producing my own lifestyle show to being a Mr South Africa 2011 top 12 finalist. From knowing that “we do what we have to, in order to do what we want to” and “impossible is nothing”, life is trully what you make of it. I know this as a fact.

As we count down the last few hours of 2010, I am dreaming of 2011 and what I would like to achieve, be it career, health, wealth, charity, relationships and religion and what my wildest dreams are. You know what they say, “If you can dream it, you can do it”.

Here is to a Happy New Year and may 2011 be whatever you choose to make it.

Its heartbreaking having to read or hear about crimes against women and children, all crimes for that matter, but more so having to live through it. I met with a 14 year old rape survivor who I will refer to as A. So no happy photographs can be posted because her privacy needs to be protected because her rapist is still out there. No happy smiling photographs because she is still overcoming the pain she has endured. Imagine, having to endure that as a 14 year old. Having to shift your focus from being a teenager to survivor mode on a daily basis.

We had an opportunity to talk and trying to be sensitive to the situation I tiptoed around the conversation, but A is not someone who is letting the rape break her spirit. She spoke about her ordeal and wanted me to feel comfortable to talk to her about it. Talking about it and sharing her story is a form of therapy for her. A made it clear that she does not want to be a victim.  A victim she is not, I was the lucky one to spend time with her. No matter what your circumstances, past or present, know this…. Your tomorrow is up to you.

Klapmuts is about 50kms outside of Cape Town, a community on the outskirts of the city that is small in size but big in heart. I was fortunate enough to be a guest at their annual Childrens Graduation Event. Upon driving into Klapmuts I noticed the rows and rows of houses, and more importantly, the development of a brand new school in the heart of this community. It has its new school opening in January 2011 as well as its current school and a sports ground.  All of these facilities serves to assist the Klapmuts community in living up to its full potential.

The Graduation event itself was a beautiful reminder that we all have a choice to make. God has given us all the tools we require and it is up to us what we do with it. The pride felt by the parents and teachers was evident to see, as the kids performed their specially rehearsed scenes as well as collecting their certificates. This is progression,  growth bit by bit, day by day, step by step.

By no means is Klapmuts perfect or rolling in financial security but what I did witness was a community that cares. Special thanks to George, Juffrou Fiela and Aunty Poppie for  being the best at what they do.

Wow, it was just 2 months ago that this exciting journey started. Its phenomenal the response (words of encouragement, constructive criticism, support and backing) I have received as a Mr South Africa 2011 semi-finalist, whether it be from family or friends or corporates and charitable organisations. The Mr South Africa brand is strong and knows no boundaries. From my “Pay It Forward” initiative raising funds for The Chrysalis Foundation (www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za) to the “Pay It Forward” Children’s Lunch. Getting involved with the organisations such as Ma Afrika Tikkun and Glam for Good which supports The Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Cansa organisations. The journey has allowed me to get to know myself better and what I am looking for out of life. It has allowed me the opportunity to go out there and be the best me.

The Mr South Africa competition itself has been positively fierce, my contenders are top notch men who gave the competition their best, its been great competing against the best of the best and we all contributed to raising a massive amount of money for The Chrysalis Foundation. To the Mr South Africa board, support staff and judges, a special shout out and thank you goes out to you for allowing me to partake in this adventure. Yes sometimes all the requirement emails were overwhelming, on top of my normal work day, but I gave it my best. A big thank you must go out to Pieter, he who is a jack of all trades and clearly very good at it all, as all of us contenders can vouch for. Meneer P, jy is rockster.

To all of  my supporters…

Thank you for your kindness, your time , your sms effort, for reading my blogs, for encouraging me, for commenting on my blogs and social media, and most importantly  for taking time out of your busy schedule to help me reach my dreams.

To my parents, thank you for your continuous support in everything I do.

As one journey comes to an end I look forward to the next journey. To the Top 12 Mr South Africa 2011 Finalists good luck and may the best man win. God willing it is me.

This initiative was aimed at helping as many people as possible. Creating an energy of giving, a movement of goodwill and random acts of kindness. It was definately this and so much more, donors listened and gave generously. All cash donations raised with the “Pay It Forward” initiative goes directly to The Chrysalis Foundation (www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za).  My family and I also hosted a ”Pay It Forward” Children’s Lunch. Heavens Nest is a Cape Town based child care and recreation centre that takes care of  abused, abandoned and neglected children aged 6 months to 8 years.  They offer  educational classes as well as counselling. Weekly healthcare visits is provided as well as daily well balanced nutrional meals. It is definately a centre that can be used as a model by other organisations to strive towards. I have not seen such well kept bedrooms and tidy cupboards as at Heavens Nest. I took my niece along so that she could see first hand how other children live and most importantly to learn about giving back and sharing. It took her a few minutes to warm up but after that she was playing with her new friends as if they were old friends. We had the privilege of enjoying lunch with them as well as sunday afternoon playtime. As much as these children have been removed from their biological homes, what Heavens Nest has done to recreate a safe home is extraordinary. I take my hat off to Eleanor and her team of angels that do what they do.

As part of my “Pay It Forward” initiative, I asked people to contribute whatever they felt comfortable giving. The idea behind it was that it was not only about the monetary value but also the intention and energy of giving to assist The Chrysalis Foundation (www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za). I asked family and friends and friends and family again but I also asked perfect strangers and anyone who would listen. I spoke about the  ”Pay It Forward” initiative as well as the work The Chrysalis Foundation (www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za) does and below is a few photos of people “Paying It Forward”

I am grateful and humbled by all the people that contributed as well as all the words of encouragement. Many many many thanks.

Jogging through Central Park I realised that no matter where I am or what I am doing  I know who I am and what I want out of life. I entered the Mr South Africa 2011 competition because I believe I have reached a point in my life where it is about living my best life. Living my best life is all encompassing, its about finding the balance in all spheres such as career, family, relationships, religion, charity,social, cultural the list goes on. Its about knowing that fine line between making sacrifices to achieve greater success or just going on with your day to day life surviving. I dont believe in just surviving, I believe in thriving. I am trully blessed and I can thank my higher power for all my blessings and for also giving me the wisdom, courage and determination to live my best life. I entered the Mr South Africa 2011 competition (www.mrsa.co.za) because I believe I can make a change, the platform that the Mr South Africa title provides will assist me in creating further awareness around causes that are close to my heart. I will continue to create awareness around teenage pregnancy and school bullyism, two very pertinent issues facing our youth. On a personal note, the challenge of entering and competing in this prestiges competition is something that I have always wanted to do, to take part and give it my personal best. I have a 4 year old niece and I want to show her that what ever you set your mind to, you can achieve. HE CAN ACHIEVE IT, I CAN ACHIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT.

MaAfrika Tikkun stands for “MaAfrika”, the mothering, empowering African atmosphere, mixed with the word “tikkun” which loosely translated means change. MaAfrika Tikkun is a symbol of hope for those who want to progress in life, but up until now have not had the means to do so.

On my recent visit there I had the opportunity of partaking in the Nedbank Chess Kids Academy graduation. I had the privilege of dressing up as a knight and knighting the students after they recieved their graduation certificates. Great fun was had by all, especially the kids who were beaming upon receiving their certificates. Chess is a great game to play as it develops logical thinking and inspires self-motivation.

For children who live in an environment where their basic human needs are barely been met, playing chess is a wonderful new learning opportunity. MaAfrika Tikkun provides this and so much more to individuals and families who need all the help they can get, have a look at their website at www.maafrikatikkun.org.za and see how you can get involved.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a young man by the name of Nkanyiso Nelson Mthembu. At 18 years old, Nelson has already known and lived through many hardships. He currently lives in Diepsloot, an informal settlement in Gauteng where he is taken care of by his stepfather and uncles. As a beneficiary of the Ma Afrika Tikkun, an NGO, he is a grade 11 learner at the Itirele-Zenzele Comprehensive High School where subjects taken include maths, science, geography and languages. I would like to share with you a poem that he has written himself.

Nelson came up to me and whispered something to me.

 ”Can I ask you something? I write poems and would like to get published, do you know of anyone who can help”

If you know of anyone who can take on this young talented man and future acclaimed poet, please contact me by email, mishal@mishalmookrey.com. Sometimes all we need is a mentor, someone who is an expert in their chosen field willing to let us observe them in their working environment so that we too can grow as an individual.

Let us “PAY IT FORWARD” to the talented and determined, like Nelson.

An interesting thing happened to me on saturday passed, and I use the word interesting loosely, because it was also very real and scary. When you get caught up in the daily grind and move from moment to moment you often forget to stop and acknowledge how blessed you are as an individual. And I really am saying this to myself.

Saturday passed should have been a day like any other and as I was on my way to my training session I got a call that everyone dreads. The dreaded call which lets you know that something is wrong the minute you hear that first scream. That scream for help says so much but says so little at the same time. A rush of emotion comes over you and you are spurred to action. As I found myself running through town, not fully understanding what the call to help was for, I knew it concerned my Mom.  

Through that rush of emotion came a deep sense of calm when I saw my Mom, who had completely collapsed and lost consciousness due to low blood complications, my siblings and I took control of the situation and we managed to get her to hospital and thankfully she is recovering. Stubborn as ever, but  resting and recovering.

Through good and bad their is a lesson. Saturday was terrible because no child ever wants to see their parents sick, but it was good because it showed me how blessed I am. No matter what hardships, rejection, pain, heartbreak, illness, sadness - call it whatever you please – the opportunity to start the next day is still their. Regardless of what I had planned for that day, it all fell through, what really came through was the life lesson that nobody could teach me, I had to experience it. As I was saying, Saturday passed should have been a day like any other, except it wasnt, it was a day of …

Ok, so I was out and about today. Getting through my daily to do list amongst the many things that one squeezes in a day and I noticed something. Whether it was at the cellular helpdesk store I walked into, the computer retailer or the general grocer, all the staff were resplendent in these bright and bold headscarves. Popular styles seemed to be wrapped around the head or tied into a little neckerchief, but a  special mention must go to the gentleman who had the novel idea of using his many headscarves as a chef’s coat. I asked him what exactly was going on. Turns out, Bandana Day is coming up on Tuesday 12 October 2010. Check out their website http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za/Bandana-Day-2010/ and see how you too can get involved in the good work that they do. Its as simple as wearing a bandana, so that people like myself becomes more informed. What are you planning to do for Bandana Day. Let me know and pics are always welcome to info@mishalmookrey.com.

I am hard at work planning a charity fundraiser for The Chrysalis Foundation http://www.chrysalisfoundation.co.za/. If you have any ideas or would like to come on board, drop me an email at info@mishalmookrey.com. Till we meet again…

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