Oprah Winfrey has announced that the school she established for underprivileged girls in South Africa two decades ago will close at the end of next year. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, located near Johannesburg, was founded in 2007 following discussions with former South African President Nelson Mandela regarding the transformative impact of female education. Mandela was a notable guest at the school's inauguration.
The academy operated through funding and oversight from Winfrey’s charitable foundation. According to the academy, the original agreement stipulated that the 52-acre campus would eventually be transferred to the provincial education department. The facility includes 21 classrooms, six science and computer laboratories, a 10,000-volume library, and a 600-seat theater. While the Gauteng provincial government is set to take over the property, there has been no immediate announcement regarding future plans for the site.
Winfrey stated that her vision was never simply to build a single school, but to invest in the potential of young women. She emphasized that the mission continues beyond one campus, noting that her commitment to educating South African girls will transition into an expanded national scholarship program aimed at supporting academically talented students at various leading schools across the country. Gauteng Provincial Minister for Education Lebogang Maile confirmed that students currently enrolled will be able to complete their education with uninterrupted financial assistance.
Since its inception, the academy has seen more than 500 graduates, many of whom have gone on to attend prestigious universities in South Africa, the United States, and Europe. The institution previously faced international scrutiny shortly after opening in 2007 when allegations of physical and sexual abuse were raised against a dormitory matron. Winfrey personally traveled to South Africa at that time to meet with students and parents, issued a public apology, and initiated an independent investigation. The matron involved was later acquitted of all criminal charges in 2010.
This report has been corrected to show Oprah Winfrey’s statement as issued on Wednesday and not Thursday.
