Oprah’s South African Academy Handed to Government
Oprah Winfrey will close her prestigious girls’ boarding school near Johannesburg at the end of the 2027 academic year, transferring the 52-acre campus to local educational authorities.
The move aligns with the original agreement for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG). Established in 2007 following discussions with former President Nelson Mandela, the £20-million facility features science laboratories, a 600-seat theatre, and a 10 000-volume library.
Over 1 000 underprivileged young women have graduated from the institution, with 99% pursuing higher education.
Despite early controversies, including acquitted abuse allegations against a former staff member, the foundation denied online claims of mismanagement. Instead, Winfrey is pivoting toward funding national scholarships for high-achieving girls at top institutions nationwide. Existing students will receive full financial support to finish their education.
“The dream was never simply to build a school,” Winfrey explained. “It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women. That mission doesn’t end with one campus.”
Gauteng Education Minister Lebogang Maile commended Winfrey’s philanthropic contribution, promising 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.”
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