Former Mrs South Africa Verushka Singh gives up crown ‘for my son’ after ADHD and autism diagnosis
When she heard her name called as Mrs South Africa, time seemed to slow down. In that split second, as the spotlight found her among the other contestants, she became the first Indian South African woman to hold the title.
WHEN she heard her name being called out as Mrs South Africa, time seemed to slow down. In that split second, as the spotlight found her among the other contestants, she became the first Indian South African woman to claim the title.
Verushka Singh made headlines when she was crowned in a glittering ceremony at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg – a dream come true for the mom who wanted to make the most of her reign, working as an ambassador for women’s empowerment, doing extensive charity work and taking on social responsibility projects.
Just four months later, Verushka is making headlines again – this time because she’s giving it all up.
Her decision to hand back her title also meant surrendering the sponsored Chery Tiggo 7, her monthly R6 000 stipend and the glamorous obligations that come with the crown: public appearances, travel, media commitments and the chance to represent South Africa on international stages such as Mrs World.
Her decision to hand back her title also meant she had to relinquish her sponsored Chery Tiggo 7 and her monthly R6 000 stipend, along with all the glamorous obligations that come with the position such as public appearances, travel and media commitments.
She also forfeited the chance to represent South Africa on international platforms like Mrs World.
Yet Verushka has no regrets. The 40-year-old walked away for her only child, nine-year-old Zachary, who has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum.
Yet Verushka has no regrets. The 40-year-old did it all for her only child, nine-year-old Zachary, who has ADHD and is on the autism spectrum.
“My son needs a lot of attention and things like dressing up for and attending events and doing photo shoots for different sponsors are things I no longer have the capacity to do,” she tells YOU.
We’re chatting to Verushka at her beautiful home in the upmarket Steyn City in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg while she takes a break from helping with Zachary’s home-schooling classes.
Her white bedazzled suit is immaculate, her sparkly heels catch the light and her makeup is flawless.
“This will probably be the last time I’ll be dolled up for a shoot,” she says.
Verushka is disarmingly honest about why she chose to relinquish the crown: she couldn’t keep up the image while her family life was fraying.
Verushka is refreshingly candid about why she chose to walk away – she was torn between keeping the title and keeping up appearances, but she couldn’t maintain the act while her family was falling apart.
“I felt like there was no authenticity in me doing that when it was damaging my son,” she says.
“Zachary is special, different. When you have a child who has special needs, it changes everything. When I realised things weren’t working to his benefit, I had to act. As mothers, that’s what we do.”
‘A nerdy kid’ who became Mrs SA
Before the sash and tiara, Verushka was a high-achieving chemical engineer and climate change consultant.
BEFORE she was Mrs South Africa, Verushka was a high-achieving chemical engineer and climate change consultant. Born in the town of Dundee in Kwazulu-natal, she spent her formative years in Johannesburg before moving to Durban for school. A nerdy kid by her own admission, she was always academically focused and matriculated from Westville Girls High before returning to Joburg to study chemical engineering at Wits University.
She went on to build a 14-year corporate career in energy and climate change, working for multinationals. Shortly before her crowning, she founded her own firm, Climate Axis, where she is managing director.
She went on to have an impressive 14-year career in the corporate sector, working at various multinational firms specialising in energy and climate change. Shortly before her crowning she founded her own firm, Climate Axis, where she serves as managing director.
Despite her success, she felt something was missing.
Despite her professional success in the world of engineering, something was missing. After years of career achievements and the demands of motherhood, she found herself craving a different kind of challenge.
“I’ve been in a male-dominated career, I’ve had struggles with motherhood and my own personal struggles – I wanted to do something for myself,” she says.
And that “something” became Mrs South Africa. Verushka spent a year securing sponsors and navigating the judging process before entries closed in January last year.
And that something was entering Mrs South Africa. Verushka spent a year securing sponsorship and navigating the judging process before entries closed in January last year.
Her husband, lawyer Sasha Singh (44), was “fully supportive”, excited to see a different side of his usually corporate wife.
Her husband, lawyer Sasha Singh (44), was fully supportive, excited to see this new side of his usually corporate wife.
“When my husband saw me winning, he said it was the best night of his life. He was so excited and hadn’t seen me in
that light before. He really enjoyed the journey.”
Her family was thrilled, but Verushka insists the pageant was never just about the title.
Her whole family was thrilled for her, but for Verushka, the pageant was never about the glitter or prestige. She entered knowing that out of 100 contestants, only one would walk away with the crown – and that was fine by her.
“It was truly about the journey, not about winning. I did it to go through the experience and grow as a person.”
Diagnosis that changed everything
The reality of what the crown required hit her barely a month into her reign.
THE reality of the commitment required hit a month after her triumph. In December, Zachary’s school report revealed he wasn’t doing well and his teachers wanted to keep him back two grades. Verushka decided to have him tested and the results changed everything.
The little boy was diagnosed with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Verushka decided to remove him from mainstream schooling and home-school him with the help of tutors.
The little boy was diagnosed with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Verushka decided to take him out of the mainstream schooling system and home-school him with the help of tutors.
She says it became painfully clear, as she tried to juggle appearances and obligations, that her son needed her more than ever.
She says it became clear when she was preparing for her year-long reign that her son really needed her.
He wanted his mom by his side when he got dressed and when he went to bed at night, she says. Zachary also wakes up regularly in the night and needs to know Mommy is close by, Verushka says.
When she couldn’t be there because of Mrs SA commitments, it tore at her.
When she couldn’t be there for him because of her commitments, it broke her heart.
“It was difficult for me to leave my son when he was going through chaotic times and feeling dysregulated because I wasn’t there. Things that would be enjoyable and fun for a lot of people, like getting your hair and makeup done for two hours, weren’t enjoyable or fun for me anymore.”
She agonised over whether to give up a title she had worked a year to achieve.
She thought long and hard about her decision to relinquish her title. “People don’t understand that you work incredibly hard for an entire year to reach that point,” she explains. “Most people wouldn’t just walk away after winning because the best part – the glory, working with contestants, photography – comes after you win.”
Her husband refused to sway her either way.
Her husband took a hands-off approach. “He didn’t want to influence me. He said it had to be my decision because he was happy with everything, but I could see what was happening and had to be honest with myself.”
The weight of being ‘the first’
As the first Indian South African Mrs South Africa, she understood the historic weight of her win.
As the first Indian South African to win the title, the historical significance wasn’t lost on her.
“Being the first Indian was amazing, just in terms of representation. I will always treasure that moment,” she says.
“Maybe I was the first, but the biggest thing is that I’m hopefully not the last.”
Verushka says she cherished the journey most of all – especially the relationships forged with other women.
Verushka relished the experience, but the best part is the friends she made.
“During all of this, they’ve all reached out and that’s the most incredible thing because that’s lasting.”
Now she has stepped back from the pageant world and its expectations, returning to life as a present mother and climate professional.
Today, she’s returned to life as a devoted mother while continuing her climate change advocacy work. The crown may be gone, but she’s found something more valuable.
“A title is a fleeting thing – there’s always going to come a time where you do pass on the crown. The friendships you make, the experience you had, the growth you got – that’s something I’ll take with me.”
For Verushka, the decision to step away is not a loss, but a recalibration of what matters most.
“Zachary is special, different. When you have a child who has special needs, it changes everything,” she says. “When I realised things weren’t working to his benefit, I had to act. As mothers, that’s what we do.”
‘WHEN YOU HAVE A CHILD WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS, IT CHANGES EVERYTHING’
