The entrance sign to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls is displayed on 16 June 2009 in Henley on Klip, South Africa.
- Oprah Winfrey’s school in Gauteng will close its doors after 20 years.
- The OWLAG campus property will be returned to the Gauteng Department of Education in accordance with the original partnership agreement.
- Winfrey plans to continue supporting the education of South African girls through “an expanded scholarship programme”.
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in Gauteng will close its doors after 20 years, the school announced in a press release on Wednesday.
Winfrey plans to continue supporting the education of South African girls through “an expanded scholarship programme” for academically talented students at leading schools across the country.
“Every student currently enrolled at OWLAG will complete her educational journey with uninterrupted academic, financial and personal support,” the press release said.
After the 2027 academic year, the OWLAG campus property will be returned to the Gauteng Department of Education in accordance with the original partnership agreement from the early 2000s. The department will determine the future of the site.
A spokesperson for the school told News24 that Winfrey, together with the OWLAG Board of Directors, decided that the school will transition from a residential campus to a scholarship-based model. This will allow them to reach at least double the number of young women across South Africa, the spokesperson said.
Oprah Winfrey (R) embraces Former President of South Africa’s wife Graça Machel (L) on her arrival at the inaugural graduation of the class of 2011 at Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls on 14 January 2012 in Henley on Klip, South Africa.
“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,” the press release said.
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, commended Winfrey for her “commitment, compassion and investment in the education of young South African girls”, according to the press release.
The school had more than 1000 graduates during its two-decade run.
“The dream was never simply to build a school,” Winfrey said in a statement. “It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women. That mission doesn’t end with one campus. It continues in every girl whose future can be transformed through education. 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.”
Oprah Winfrey poses with the graduates on her arrival at the inaugural graduation of the class of 2011 at Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls on 14 January 2012 in Henley on Klip, South Africa.
Winfrey was inspired to open the school by conversations with Nelson Mandela.
“Since opening its doors in 2007, the Academy has welcomed girls from disadvantaged communities across South Africa, equipping them with an education grounded not only in academic excellence, but also in leadership, confidence, compassion and purpose,” the statement said.
Joel Ontong
www.news24.com
