Oprah Winfrey to close South African girls’ academy

Oprah Winfrey

Cape Town – Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has announced that the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa will close in its current form at the end of 2027, with the facility set to be taken over by the provincial government and continue operating as a public school.

As reported by People, Winfrey said the decision reflects a broader vision for expanding educational opportunities for young women.

“The dream was never simply to build a school. It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women.”

She said the transition would enable her to reach more girls through an expanded scholarship programme, adding: “I’m excited that this next chapter will allow us to reach even more young women across South Africa and continue the promise that began more than 20 years ago.”

According to her representative, the new model will significantly expand access to education, saying: “Overall, there will be double the amount of girls who will have access to education through this model.”

‘My deepest, greatest joy’

The academy, which opened in 2007, will graduate two more classes before closing. Remaining students will complete their education at top-tier schools with their tuition fully funded by Winfrey. More than 1,000 girls have graduated from the academy, with many going on to higher education.

Winfrey has previously described the academy as “my greatest legacy”, adding in 2019: “These girls are my deepest, greatest joy.”

According to The Citizen, the Gauteng Department of Education will assume responsibility for the academy once it closes, while Winfrey’s foundation redirects its resources towards scholarships and continued support for young women across South Africa.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile said the department would preserve the institution’s legacy.

“Through the transition of the Academy’s assets to the Gauteng Department of Education, the Department will ensure that the Academy’s legacy of academic excellence, leadership development, and the creation of opportunities through education continues to benefit future generations of learners,” Maile said.

He also praised Winfrey for her long-standing investment in girls’ education, saying her “commitment, compassion and investment in the education of young South African girls” would be remembered for years to come.

Winfrey assured parents and learners that “every student currently enrolled at the school will complete her educational journey with uninterrupted academic, financial, and personal support.”

She added: “Throughout the transition, the Academy will continue its commitment to the holistic development of every student and to its growing network of alumnae through mentorship, leadership development and higher education support.”

The academy was established following discussions between Winfrey and Nelson Mandela about using education to break the cycle of poverty.

After the final two classes graduate, the school will officially close, marking the end of one of South Africa’s most ambitious philanthropic education projects while ushering in an expanded scholarship model aimed at reaching even more young women.

Picture: X/@Oprah

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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