Entertainment Reporter
JOHANNESBURG – Mrs SA Top 100 semi-finalists have been announced!
Verusha Maharaj is ecstatic in being announced as a Top 100 semi-finalists!
Verusha Maharaj (30) based in Sunninghill has just completed her MBA at Wits Business School and is a General Manager at The Creative Counsel, one of the largest marketing agencies in Africa.
“Beauty pageants are not typically thought of as particularly real or relatable. The gorgeous gowns, the tiaras, the immaculate hair and beauty, and the perfect and polished contestants all wonderful to watch, yes, but not attainable in real life.” says Maharaj
Mrs South Africa is not the typical beauty pageant, it offers married South African women who have real-life careers, families, and hobbies the chance to compete for the prestigious title of Mrs South Africa.
“Glamour and sophistication are part of the criteria, but the women who enter and win all have those relatable stories we’re looking for. We all know a Mrs South Africa: she is smart and ambitious, and cares about her family and community.’ concurs Joani Johnson – CEO of Mrs South Africa
Johnson said  Mrs South Africa pageant is about giving South Africa’s unsung superwomen a chance to get support and give input, and a platform to reach a new level of success and visibility on a global stage.
“We received the most entries in the history of Mrs South Africa this year, so you should be proud of yourself.  We look forward to working with you. You are about to embark on a life-changing journey’’ adds Johnson
The 100 semi-finalists, including Verusha Maharaj  will go on to compete at the semi to be held  in Emperors Palace on 26th-28th April 2017, and will be submitted to intense judging sessions by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of: Vusi Zwane (Emperors Palace Peermont Hotel corporate affairs and corporate social investment executive), Candice Abrahams (Mrs World 2016) and Unaiza
Moideen (business woman in the beauty industry), headed by principal judge, Cindy Nell Roberts (Business Woman and former Miss South Africa)
Only 25 women will be selected to continue the journey as finalists for Mrs South Africa who will be announced at the annual CANSA Gala Dinner on 28th April at Emperors Palace’s Centre Court.
The Gala Dinner is a glittering event and a highlight on the social calendar. All proceeds of this event will go to the pageant’s official charity, the Cancer Association of South Africa.
Mrs South Africa has the reputation of a women-empowerment programme and prides itself on real, bona fide women. It doesn’t matter what your story is or where you come from. Mrs South Africa contestants are between the ages of 24 and 49; they are mature, driven, ambitious and most of all real- relatable women who strive to be the best version of themselves. They are wives, in some cases mothers; some are entrepreneurs but most are change makers.
–Guardian