Theron win greeted with celebrations in South Africa

South Africans celebrated Charlize Theron’s Oscar win today, hailing the homegrown star as an inspiration and proof of the country’s achievements since apartheid’s end.

President Thabo Mbeki was among the first to congratulate Theron, whose award he said was equal to the “Nobel prizes for peace and literature that the free South Africa has previously taken from the honours shelves of the world”.

“Ms. Theron, who is able to command all of the cosmetic glamour and hype that naturally go with Hollywood stardom, has fittingly won this great prize for her performance in a film, Monster, that demonstrates her far more profound qualities,” Mbeki said in a statement.

Theron won the best actress award for her portrayal of serial-killing prostitute Aileen Wuornos.

The former model and ballerina was almost unrecognisable behind sun-spotted makeup, false teeth and the extra pounds she put on for the role.

Raised in the small town of Benoni, near Johannesburg, Theron overcame tragedy in her own childhood – her mother fatally shot her father in self-defence during a violent argument 13 years ago – to pursue her dreams in Hollywood.

“Ms. Theron, in her own personal life, represents a grand metaphor of South Africa’s move from agony to achievement,” Mbeki said.

Former President Nelson Mandela said he would telephone Theron to congratulate her and hoped she would have time to see him next week when she visits South Africa to promote her film.

A statement issued by the Nelson Mandela Foundation said he was “overjoyed, however not surprised” to learn of her success.