Oprah Winfrey to close her school for girls in South Africa
Media personality Oprah Winfrey has announced that the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa will close after the 2027 academic year, bringing to an end nearly two decades of operation.
According to a statement, the boarding school’s campus near Johannesburg will be transferred to local education authorities at the end of 2027, in line with the original agreement reached when the institution was established.
The foundation said students who have not completed their studies by the time the school closes will receive full scholarships to continue their education at other institutions.
Founded to provide quality education for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, the academy has graduated more than 1,000 students since it was inspired by Winfrey’s meeting with Nelson Mandela in 2002.
The school officially opened in 2007 in Henley-on-Klip, south of Johannesburg, after an investment of about US$40 million (£20 million).
Over the years, the academy has faced controversy, leading to speculation on social media about the reasons behind its closure.
However, a public relations consultant for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation dismissed suggestions that the decision was linked to mismanagement.
Instead, the foundation said Winfrey plans to continue supporting girls’ education through a scholarship programme that will enable talented students from communities across South Africa to attend leading schools.
In the statement, the 72-year-old said the initiative had always been about empowering young women through education rather than operating a single institution.
She added that the next phase of the programme would allow the foundation to reach even more girls across South Africa while continuing the mission that began more than 20 years ago.
Authorities have not yet announced how the academy’s campus will be used once ownership is transferred.
The Gauteng Department of Education said it is committed to preserving the institution’s legacy and ensuring the facility continues to benefit residents of the province while remaining true to its founding vision.
When the academy first opened, it attracted criticism from some commentators who questioned the cost of its state-of-the-art facilities, which reportedly included two theatres, a yoga studio and a beauty salon, arguing that the resources could have benefited a larger number of students.
The school also faced scrutiny shortly after opening when a former staff member was accused of abusing students. The individual was later acquitted of all charges.
The academy currently has 281 students enrolled.
According to Oprah Daily, many former students have gone on to build successful careers as doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, business executives and entrepreneurs.
One alumna, Andronica Klaas, who graduated in 2012 and now serves as a senior engineering lead at Meta, said the academy transformed her outlook by teaching her that preparation, character and purpose mattered more than her background.
Source: BBC
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