When South African starlet Charlize Theron picked up a best actress Academy Award just over a week ago, she held her trophy aloft and promised: "I'm bringing this home." And the stunning blonde has kept her vow, arriving in her native country – with her freshly-minted Oscar, of course – to a spectacularly enthusiastic welcome.
Throngs of screaming fans met the radiant young actress as she jetted into Johannesburg International Airport on Saturday proudly clutching her Academy Award along with a bouquet of flowers. And Charlize was once again holding a massive armful of blossoms – and once again greeting crowds of cheering admirers – as she donned a sparkling gold gown for her first official South African appearance since her big win.
There are also some well-known fans on Charlize's agenda during her visit back home. Both President Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela are set to roll out the red carpet for the country's new golden girl.
The South African statesmen had rung in with their praise not long after the Hollywood star scored her first-ever Academy Award on February 29. While Mandela was "overjoyed" that his countrywoman took home the title, President Mbeki said the best actress winner was herself "pure gold".
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
