Oprah Closing Her South Africa School After 20 Years

Oprah Winfrey is closing the doors of her South Africa Leadership Academy for Girls after two decades of operation, but sources say her education mission is about to get even bigger.

Twenty Years Of Impact

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls opened in 2007 in Henley on Klip, South Africa. Founded with a $40 million personal investment from Winfrey, the boarding school provided world-class education to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Over its 20-year run, the academy graduated hundreds of young women who went on to attend universities worldwide and build careers across every industry.

Why Now

According to reports, the closure is not a retreat from education but a strategic pivot. Winfrey is said to be planning a broader education initiative that will reach more students than the single-campus model allowed.

The academy's graduating classes have already created a powerful alumni network that continues to grow independently of the physical institution.

Legacy

The school faced challenges over the years, including a 2007 abuse scandal involving a staff member who was later convicted. Despite those difficulties, the academy's graduates have overwhelmingly praised the opportunities it provided.

Details about Winfrey's expanded education plans have not yet been announced.