Oprah to Close South African Girls’ Academy After 20 Years

In a statement, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) said the institution will be transferred to South African education authorities in line with the agreement reached when the school was established in 2007.

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has announced that her renowned leadership academy for girls in South Africa will shut its doors at the end of the 2027 academic year, bringing to a close nearly two decades of operations.

In a statement, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) said the institution will be transferred to South African education authorities in line with the agreement reached when the school was established in 2007.

The academy said students who will not complete their education before the closure takes effect will receive full scholarships to continue their studies at other schools.

Winfrey founded the boarding school near Johannesburg after a 2002 meeting with Nelson Mandela, with the aim of providing world-class education to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged communities. Since opening its doors, the institution has produced more than 1,000 graduates.

The announcement triggered speculation on social media that the closure was linked to mismanagement. However, the academy's public relations consultant dismissed the claims, insisting the decision reflects a planned transition rather than operational challenges.

According to the foundation, Winfrey will continue supporting girls' education through a nationwide scholarship programme designed to help academically outstanding students from underserved communities attend some of South Africa's leading schools.

"The dream was never simply to build a school. It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women," Winfrey said in a statement.

She added that the new initiative would expand the foundation's impact by reaching more girls across South Africa while continuing the mission that began more than two decades ago.

Although the future use of the Johannesburg campus has yet to be announced, the Gauteng Provincial Education Department said it is committed to preserving the institution's legacy.

"We will ensure that this exceptional institution continues to serve the people of Gauteng while honouring the vision upon which it was established," the department said.