Winfrey Confirms She Will Shut Down South African Girls' School in Coming Year

Oprah Winfrey has declared that the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa will officially cease operations at the conclusion of the 2027 academic year. 

This decision signifies the end of a two-decade-long residential boarding model as Winfrey redirects her philanthropic efforts towards a more extensive, nationwide scholarship initiative.

The 52-acre, state-of-the-art campus located in Henley-on-Klip will be transferred to the Gauteng Department of Education. This handover is in accordance with the original partnership agreement established at the time of the school's construction.

Students who are currently enrolled and will not graduate by the 2027 closure date will be awarded full scholarships to continue their education at other prestigious institutions, ensuring uninterrupted financial support.

Since its inception in January 2007, with an initial investment of $40 million, the academy has graduated over 500 to 1,000 disadvantaged, academically gifted girls. Many of these graduates have proceeded to attend elite universities worldwide and have secured prominent careers.

As stated by the academy, the primary aim of this transition is to enhance educational access. Operating a single luxury residential boarding school requires substantial resources. By shifting to a broader national scholarship program, Winfrey’s foundation anticipates funding academically talented girls across various leading South African institutions, effectively doubling the number of students they can assist.

Numerous fans and commentators have expressed their sadness over the closure of the physical boarding school, which has served as a beacon of hope and legacy for two decades. Supporters, however, have embraced the strategic change, highlighting that a distributed scholarship model can significantly increase the number of young women receiving educational support.

Reassurance Over Continuity: Audiences have responded positively to the commitment that current students will have their education fully funded until graduation, and that local authorities will maintain the campus as an operational school.