Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa will close in 2027, marking the end of a significant educational initiative.
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG), founded in 2007, will officially close at the end of the 2027 academic year. The campus will be handed over to the Gauteng provincial education authorities, as per the original agreement. Over its years of operation, the academy has graduated more than 1,000 young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Oprah Winfrey’s Vision for Education in South Africa
Winfrey established the academy after meeting Nelson Mandela in 2002, aiming to provide quality education to academically gifted girls from underprivileged communities. The school has played a crucial role in empowering young women, offering them opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.
Despite the closure, Winfrey emphasized that the mission of the academy will continue through a nationwide scholarship program. This initiative aims to support talented girls in attending leading schools across South Africa, ensuring that the legacy of the academy lives on.
Key Transition Plans for OWLAG
- The campus will be handed over to Gauteng provincial education authorities.
- Students not completing their education by 2027 will receive full scholarships to other schools.
- The foundation will redirect resources towards funding scholarships for talented girls.
- The future use of the academy’s campus has not yet been announced.
Oprah Winfrey’s commitment to empowering young women continues beyond the closure of her academy.
