Oprah Winfrey to close her South African girls’ academy

For nearly two decades, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls has stood as one of South Africa’s most recognisable symbols of educational opportunity.

Now, the institution is preparing for a significant transition that aims to extend its impact far beyond a single campus.

The academy, located in Henley-on-Klip, will complete its final academic year as an independent boarding school in 2027 before its management is transferred to the Gauteng Department of Education.

Rather than signalling the end of Oprah Winfrey’s investment in South African education, the move marks the beginning of a broader strategy focused on reaching more young women across the country.

From one campus to a national vision

Since opening its doors in 2007, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) has provided fully funded education to academically talented girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Established following discussions between Oprah Winfrey and former President Nelson Mandela, the academy was created with a simple but ambitious goal: giving young women the opportunity to realise their potential regardless of their circumstances.

Over the past 20 years, that vision has translated into more than 1,000 graduates who have gone on to study at universities and establish careers in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to business, law, the arts and technology.

The academy’s next phase will shift away from operating a single residential campus and instead invest in a scholarship programme designed to support girls accepted into leading schools throughout South Africa.

Current learners will remain supported

The transition has been carefully planned to ensure that students currently enrolled at the academy are not affected.

Learners will continue receiving the academic, financial and personal support they need until they complete their studies. Once the final class graduates after the 2027 academic year, the Gauteng Department of Education will assume responsibility for the campus, fulfilling the original partnership agreement established when the school was founded.

Alumni reflect on the academy’s lasting influence

For many former students, the academy’s greatest legacy extends far beyond its classrooms.

Andronica, who graduated in 2012 and now serves as a senior engineering lead at Meta, credits the school with reshaping her outlook on life. She says the academy taught her that preparation, strong character and a sense of purpose mattered more than the circumstances into which she was born.

That sentiment is echoed by alumna Kirsten, now a chief executive officer, who believes investing in one girl’s education creates lasting benefits for families, communities and future generations.

Their stories reflect the ripple effect that quality education can havenot only on individual lives but on South Africa’s broader social and economic development.

Oprah looks beyond the classroom

Oprah Winfrey says the academy’s mission is far from over.

Instead of focusing on a single boarding school, the new scholarship model is intended to help even more young women gain access to high-quality education across the country. By supporting learners wherever opportunities arise, the initiative hopes to widen its reach while continuing the promise that inspired the academy more than two decades ago.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com