Van der Burgh, who was there to show off the gold medal he won on Sunday during the 100 meters breaststroke final, was greeted with ululations and the blazing sounds of vuvuzela from South Africans living in abroad and those who are there for the Olympics.
Van der Burgh, accompanied by Team SA Chef de Mission, Patience Shikwambana, was welcomed by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, the High Commissioner, Zola Skweyiya and Director General of Sport and Recreation Alec Moemi.
Amongst those who came to congratulate the swimmer were SAFA President Kirsten Nematendani, AFCON CEO Mvuso Mvebe, Musicians Thandiswa Mazwai and DJ Mahoota, Supersport's Happy Ntshingila, businessman Sello Rasethaba, Comedian Joey Rasdien, Team SA Ambassadors, Lucas Radebe and Cynthia Tshaka and hundreds of South Africans.
Addressing his supporters, Van der Burgh said: "It's a great feeling winning the medal for my country. When I grew up, I used to paste posters of swimmers like Penny Heyns and always believed one day I will be like them. Today I am living that dream."
He said he was encouraged that he was inspiring the new generation to do more and better than him.
Mbalula told Van der Burgh that South Africa was proud of him.
"You made every South African proud. You profiled the country amongst the nations of the world and motivated your fellow athletes to do us proud by also representing on the podium glory," he said.
