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After two decades and over 800 graduates, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) is closing down as Winfrey focuses on an expanded scholarship program for girls.
In a statement released yesterday, the media mogul and philanthropist said, “The dream was never simply to build a school. It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women.”
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy of Girls will end operations in its current form at the end of 2027, marking the end of a two-decade chapter in South African education.
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Transformation through education
In her statement, Oprah continued to say that her 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.”
What‘s next for the school?
Under the new plan, the school’s campus will be transferred to the Gauteng Department of Education, in line with the original partnership agreement. While the academy will no longer operate under Winfrey’s leadership, the facility will continue serving learners as a public educational institution.
The transition reflects a new strategy to expand educational opportunities for more young women across South Africa. According to representatives of the school, the new model is expected to benefit significantly more students than the single-campus academy.
Current students at the school will complete their education at the academy, while any remaining learners affected by the transition will have their tuition fully funded at other top-performing schools until graduation.
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History of the school
Since opening its doors, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls has produced over 800 graduates, many of whom have gone on to attend universities in South Africa and abroad.
Alumni have pursued careers in medicine, law, engineering, business, and other professions, reflecting the academy’s emphasis on leadership and academic excellence.
The transition is expected to be completed after the 2027 academic year, with the scholarship programme becoming the primary focus of Winfrey’s educational efforts in the country.
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