Zuma: South Africans love Charlize

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma congratulated South African-born actress Charlize Theron on Wednesday for scooping the World Economic Forum's crystal award for her humanitarian work.

"We are proud of our Charlize," Zuma said in a statement.

"She has succeeded in an extremely competitive environment, and is a visible and hardworking ambassador for her country."

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project finances programmes designed to prevent the spread of HIV among young Africans, particularly in South Africa.

The programmes include mobile health services in an impoverished region of South Africa.

'We love her'

Zuma said he met Theron on the sidelines of the conference in Switzerland on Wednesday, and she briefed him on her work.

"I assured her that South Africans love her and wish her all the best," he said.

"We wish her success in every venture she undertakes."

The award was presented to her on Tuesday night.

Last year, the award went to South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who was recognised for "using her art to improve the state of the world".