Charlize Theron Tweets Support For Nelson Mandela

Charlize Theron is one of the most respectable actresses in the movie business. She’s regularly viewed as one of the best at her craft, but she’s been given praise for her life off the big screen as well.

On Saturday, she showed her support for the former South Africa President Nelson Mandela. Madiba currently remains hospitalized in Pretoria in “critical but stable” condition.

President Obama met with Mandela’s family this week and the whole world is watching in hopes of a safe recovery for the former President. The 94-year-old Mandela is an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people all over the world and his current struggle is hitting home with everyone.

Celebrities have taken to social media to share their thoughts and prayers for Mandela while his native country is waiting for good news.

The 37-year-old actress has a connection to the situation unlike most celebrities and movie stars across the United States and around the world. Charlize Theron was born in Benoni, South Africa and she considers Nelson Mandela to be one of her hero’s.

She has citizenship in both South Africa and the United States and she even grew up in Benoni on her parent’s farm. Her first language is Afrikaans, which is the native language in parts of South Africa.

Here’s Theron’s tweet that she sent out on Twitter Saturday.

Keeping Madiba in my thoughts. #NelsonMandela #Hero

— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) June 29, 2013

Outside of being a native to the country, she also has an outreach project that is dedicated to support the African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The project works in collaboration with Oprah’s Angel Network and it provides funding for a community based nonprofit organization in South Africa that gives health services to secondary schools.

Services include preventative education, health screenings, and counseling among others.

Do you believe Charlize Theron has gone above and beyond to make a difference in South Africa?

[Image via Gage Skidmore]