My 'date' with Charlize, Thabo

2004-03-10 08:39

Eagan Williamson

Pretoria - "It still feels so unreal. She is such a beautiful person, it is actually quite emotional to be in her presence," says a fan who spent time with Oscar winner Charlize Theron and President Thabo Mbeki.

Lynn Potgieter of Silverton was still overwhelmed on Tuesday after her private visit with President Thabo Mbeki and superstar Charlize Theron the previous evening.

Mbeki, who was electioneering in Silverton earlier on Monday, invited Potgieter, her neighbour, Danie de Beer, and his daughter, Maritsa, to join him for his meeting with Charlize at the presidential guesthouse.

The three did not wait to be invited twice.

After a photo session with the media, the three spent about 15 minutes with Charlize, her mother, Gerda, Mbeki and several government officials in one of the reception rooms at the guesthouse.

Star and her mom 'so humble'

Potgieter said: "Charlize spoke Afrikaans to us all the time, something I have always wanted to hear."

They talked about her big Oscar moment and life in Los Angeles.

Potgieter said Theron and her mother were two of the most-humble people she had met: "It was as if they were even more honoured to be there."

She said the president was a wonderful host who made them feel at ease the whole time.

Presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo took photos and promised to send copies to them.

"I gave the president a hug to thank him again and he held my hand a couple of times."

She asked Mbeki about Charlize's planned charity project and said she was glad the star wanted to help the country.

Then, Mbeki was able to spend time alone with Charlize.

"When Charlize drove away later, she and her mother smiled and waved at us."

Potgieter said her family and colleagues from all over the country phoned her on Tuesday morning after they saw her picture in the newspapers. They initially had not wanted to believe her.

"It was wonderful! An experience I will never have again and for which I am truly thankful," said a proud Potgieter.

- Beeld