In her Oscar winning speech, Charlize Theron, 28, made it a point to thank her hometown South Africa.

So it did not come as a surprise when the actress got emotional when she visited former South African President Nelson Mandela recently in Johannesburg.

The stunner, who recently had a semi-precious stone named after her called the Star of Charlize, gave a reveting performance in her latest film, Monster.

She will be seen next with sweetheart Stuart Townsend in Head In The Clouds. The romance set in the 1930s will also star Penelope Cruz.

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