Oprah Winfrey to close her school for girls in South Africa

Oprah Winfrey is closing the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The boarding school, established near Johannesburg nearly 20 years ago, will cease operations at the end of the 2027 academic year. According to the foundation, the campus will be handed over to local education authorities as originally agreed upon when the institution first opened in 2007.

Since its inception, the school provided education for over 1,000 students from underprivileged backgrounds. Winfrey stated that the project was never solely about the physical campus, but about investing in the potential of young women. While the school building will transition to the Gauteng province's control, the foundation plans to pivot its strategy toward a new scholarship program. This initiative will support academically talented girls by funding their attendance at various leading schools across South Africa.

The academy faced scrutiny throughout its history, ranging from initial criticism regarding its $40 million cost and amenities to a highly publicized abuse scandal involving a former staff member who was later cleared of all charges. Despite these controversies, the school produced numerous graduates who now work as engineers, doctors, and entrepreneurs.

Current students who have not yet graduated when the campus closes will receive full scholarships to complete their education elsewhere. The Gauteng education department confirmed it intends to preserve the academy's legacy once the property transfers to local government oversight.