Oprah Winfrey has revealed that her South African leadership academy for girls is set to cease operations following the 2027 academic year. This decision concludes a significant twenty-year chapter for the media icon’s charitable work in education.
Situated near Johannesburg, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) will transition its campus facilities to the Gauteng provincial education department, fulfilling the terms of the institution’s initial establishment agreement. To ensure no student’s education is interrupted, those unable to finish their studies before the closure will be granted full scholarships for alternative schooling.
Launched in 2007 with a $40 million investment, the boarding school was inspired by a 2002 meeting with Nelson Mandela and aimed to support high-achieving, underprivileged students. Over 1,000 graduates have passed through its doors since inception. Rather than viewing the closure as a termination of her goals, Winfrey described it as a shift in strategy. She intends to launch a nationwide scholarship initiative to support more students, moving beyond the physical constraints of a single campus.
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation firmly denied rumors regarding financial instability, clarifying that this shift was always intended as part of their long-term strategy. The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed its dedication to maintaining the site’s legacy and its service to the local community.
