Oprah Winfrey says she will close her school for girls in South Africa next year

Oprah Winfrey announced that she will close the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa at the end of next year. The school, which opened in 2007 near Johannesburg, served underprivileged young women and was established after the television icon held discussions with former President Nelson Mandela about the impact of education.

Winfrey’s charitable foundation has funded the academy since its inception. The project was always intended to transition to the local government, and the Gauteng provincial education department will now take control of the 52-acre campus. The site includes 21 classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, and a theater.

While the physical campus will change hands, Winfrey stated that her commitment to the education of young women in South Africa remains. She plans to shift focus toward an expanded national scholarship program designed to support high-achieving girls at various schools across the country. Current students will continue their studies with full financial support through the transition.

Over the past two decades, more than 500 girls have graduated from the academy, moving on to attend universities in South Africa and abroad. The school previously drew international attention in 2007 following reports of misconduct by a dormitory staff member, which led to an investigation and a public apology from Winfrey. The institution has since operated as a prominent educational landmark in the region.