Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Oprah Winfrey to Close South Africa Girls’ School Next Year
Oprah Winfrey, a famous TV host, started a school for girls in Johannesburg in 2007.
She plans to close the school at the end of next year and hand the campus to the local government.
The school will still help girls through scholarships.
More than 500 girls have graduated, many going to top universities.
The school had past abuse allegations, but Oprah apologized and investigated.
The campus has 21 classrooms, labs, a library, and a theater.
The closure is part of a plan to keep educating girls across South Africa.
Oprah Winfrey will close her Johannesburg-based girls’ school at the end of next year.
The 52‑acre campus will be handed over to the Gauteng provincial education department.
Winfrey’s foundation will continue support via an expanded national scholarship program.
Over 500 girls have graduated, many attending top universities worldwide.
The school faced past abuse allegations; Winfrey apologized and commissioned an investigation.
- Who
- Oprah Winfrey
- What
- Closing her Johannesburg-based girls’ school
- When
- End of next year
- Where
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Why
- Campus to be handed over to Gauteng provincial education department while continuing mission through scholarships
- School name
- Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls
- Location
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Campus size
- 52 acres
- Number of classrooms
- 21
- Library size
- 10,000 volumes
- Theater capacity
- 600 seats
- Number of graduates
- 500+
- Closing date
- End of next year