Following this week’s announcement that she will be joining Mrs South Africa’s Top 30 Finalists for 2025, Verushka Singh is now setting her sights on the upcoming finals in November, while preparing for an intensive schedule of workshops, photoshoots, mentoring sessions, and charity engagements over the coming months.
Born in KwaZulu-Natal and now based in Johannesburg for the past 20 years, Singh is a qualified chemical engineer from the University of the Witwatersrand and an experienced sustainability advisor. She currently works in the sustainability consulting space, where she helps organisations and governments embed climate change resilience, ESG strategy, and environmental governance into decision-making processes. Her career bridges science and impact—using her engineering background to tackle some of Africa’s most urgent climate and sustainability challenges.
Singh entered the Mrs South Africa programme as an act of growth—personally, professionally, and purposefully. After years of pouring into her career, motherhood, and community, she chose to prioritise herself again—to invest in her confidence, creativity, and courage. This journey is about reclaiming space, redefining balance, and allowing herself to be seen in a new light.
“This journey isn’t about transformation—it’s about elevation. I’ve spent years showing up for everyone else—at work, at home, in advocacy—and now I’m choosing to show up for myself. Mrs South Africa has reminded me that prioritising your own growth is not selfish—it’s necessary,” says Singh.
Achieving a spot in the Top 30
The road to the Top 30 began in earnest during Mrs South Africa’s semi-finals week, held from 02 to 04 July at Hotel Sky in Sandton. Over three demanding days of prep, personal growth, learning, and further networking, semi-finalists worked through leadership roundtables, special mentorship sessions, interviews, and the spectacular on-stage semi-final showcase that saw the Theatre of Marcellus buzzing with excitement and hopeful nervous energy on 04 July.
Saturday 05 July and Sunday 06 July were then dedicated to workshops led by experts in media relations, business, and social responsibility. Finalists also participated in their first professional photo- and video shoot to help support their personal branding and social media efforts going forward.
“The day of the showcase, our five incredible judges looked for clear evidence of both substance and progress in terms of self-development and leadership within each of the women,” explains Joani Jacobs, CEO of Mrs South Africa. “What they do and say throughout the programme’s many events and on the actual stage are critical, but it’s what they do for their communities, how they change lives, and how they lead that really matter.”
More than just a pageant
Affectionately called the MBA of Life, Mrs South Africa’s programme is designed to equip married women aged 25 to 55 years with strategic leadership tools, as well as a network in the form of its famed sisterhood that grows long after the crown changes hands.
According to Jacobs, the aim is to graduate a cohort equipped to contribute meaningfully to socioeconomic challenges and initiatives that change lives. Many participants even go on to launch their own community development organisations that address South Africa’s most pressing challenges.
“This programme has expanded my view of leadership. In climate work, I focus on long-term systems change. Through Mrs South Africa, I’m learning the power of immediate influence—how your presence, your words, and your courage can shift conversations and connect people in powerful ways,” says Singh.
Supporting SAACA – a cause close to her heart
Singh will host a wellness morning experience to raise funds for the South Africa Animal Cancer Association (SAACA)—one of the official charities supported by Mrs South Africa. As a sustainability professional, she recognises that climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem health are deeply interconnected. SAACA’s work supports the health and wellbeing of animals that are part of these ecosystems—making it a powerful intersection of science, compassion, and climate awareness.
“SAACA’s mission reflects compassion backed by science. In my climate work, I see firsthand how environmental stressors—from pollution to rising temperatures—impact both people and animals. Supporting SAACA is about acknowledging that caring for the most vulnerable in our ecosystems, including our pets, is part of building a resilient, biodiverse future,” she explains.
Looking ahead
As she prepares for the road to the finals, Singh remains focused on using her voice to drive change—whether in boardrooms, on stage, or in communities.
“Whether I’m advocating for climate justice, raising a neurodiverse child, or mentoring women in STEM—I want to show that leadership can be intelligent, inclusive, and boldly feminine. I’m here to challenge narratives, champion impact, and walk with purpose
