Melktert is a winner

2004-03-09 08:08

Marida Fitzpatrick

Johannesburg - Milk tart and coffee are two things Charlize Theron made sure of in her busy schedule on Monday when she and her mother relaxed at Tan' Malie se Winkel near Hartbeespoort Dam.

"She actually came for coffee and koeksisters," said Jannie Grobler, manager of the popular farm trading post and restaurant near Pretoria.

All the koeksisters were sold out and Charlize decided on a piece of milk tart.

Grobler said she was very friendly. "In fact, we have never been treated so well by any other guest."

She also spoke Afrikaans to the staff, Grobler said.

"We were so proud. We could not believe she was in our shop."

Magnus Esterhuizen, who was in the shop when Charlize walked in, said he was "bowled over" when he saw the beauty, clad in jeans and black cap.

"She looked stunning! She has this unbelievable presence."

Esterhuizen said the group of eight (Charlize, her mother, friends and bodyguards) were in good spirits and it was clear they had had a lot of fun. "Everyone was laughing and she radiated happiness."

Will frame the photograph

Chantelle Bothma, who served the group, said it was a "wonderful experience" to meet the Oscar winner.

"I did not recognise her immediately, but when she took off her sunglasses, I couldn't believe my eyes."

Charlize gave Bothma and Grobler her autograph. Grobler's autograph is on the front page of Rapport, the Sunday newspaper.

"She signed right across her photograph. The paper is now in the safe. It will be framed," he said with delight.

Esterhuizen also wanted something to prove he saw Charlize in the flesh and went to fetch his video camera from his car.

One of the bodyguards intervened, however, to protect the golden girl's privacy.

"He didn't touch me or say anything, but I got the message when he placed himself squarely in front of me and my camera," said Esterhuizen.

He did managed to capture about five seconds of the merriment on tape to remind him of the day he nearly rubbed shoulders with a star.

Charlize will be interviewed on the e.tv. programme, 3rd Degree, on Tuesday night and on the kykNet programme, Kwela, on Wednesday.

- Beeld