JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South Africa on Saturday welcomed back home its first Miss World winner in 40 years, Rolene Strauss, with wild cheers and ululations.

Hundreds turned up at O.R. Tambo International Airport to greet Strauss after the 22-year-old medical student was crowned Miss World 2014 at a glitzy final in London last Sunday.

Dressed in the country's national colours, South Africans waved placards, flags and portraits of Strauss at a colourful ceremony staged at the airport in Johannesburg.

She accepted a bouquet of flowers from a young girl in a wheelchair.

Strauss is the first Miss World from South Africa since 1974 when the title was won by Anneline Kriel.

Among those at the airport was the country's first winner of the title in 1958, Penny Coelen-Rey, now a 74-year-old grandmother.

"We can be truly proud that she has brought the title back to South Africa," she said.

Leading the welcome party Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula evoked the memory of the country's first black president and icon, Nelson Mandela, who died a year ago.

"We are a proud nation today," said Mbalula. "Nelson Mandela is smiling on us, that his idea of a free democratic South Africa, a united nation, a rainbow nation is still alive today." Strauss stepped into the airport's arrivals hall to deafening cheers and chants.

"I have no words to describe what I am feeling at this moment," she said, adding that taking part in the Miss World 2014 contest made her realise how "powerful" South Africa is.

"The words South Africa mean unity, freedom, forgiveness, a bright future," she said.

The famous Soweto Gospel Choir, which featured at the Fifa World Cup draw held in Cape Town in December 2009, led the performance to welcome Strauss.

One of fans carried a placard reading "Marry me Rolene".