Charlize ‘landmark’ a starting point for local tourism
Hollywood actress Charlize Theron’s former residence may soon be used as a starting point to promote tourism in Benoni.
Partners Dirk Eloff and Vaughn Grobler bought the Seventh Road, Cloverdene, property at the end of 2015, not knowing they had acquired the infamous house.
The home was the scene of Charles Theron’s (her father) death in 1991.
In 2012, Barry Newland, who ran a business on the property, was killed on the same property.
Eloff and Grobler had no idea they had purchased the house Theron lived in as a child, which now has self-catering units.
It took the two over a month after buying the home to discover a message that the Hollywood star had written on the wall years after her acting career began. It reads: “All the best – Charlize Theron.”
“When guests come in the first thing they want to do is take a selfie at the autograph,” said Grobler.
He said the previous owners painted around the words.
Although he would not paint over the well wishes, Grobler said he hopes the star will return to Benoni, in order for her to sign on another wall, allowing them to better utilise the wall space, which is in the reception.
The Imbasa Lodge owners want to promote tourism to local Benoni destinations, saying the house will be the starting point.
Grobler has a message for Theron.
“We would love for her to come out and see that at least there is something positive about the house she grew up in, because after they moved there has been nothing but bad news,” said Grobler.
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