By Peace Erewunmi

Media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey has announced that she will close the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa at the end of the 2027 academic year, bringing to a close nearly two decades of operating the prestigious institution.

The academy, located in Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng Province, was established in 2007 following discussions between Winfrey and former South African President Nelson Mandela. The school was created to provide quality education and leadership training for academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since its establishment, it has produced hundreds of graduates, many of whom have gone on to study at leading universities around the world.

Winfrey said the closure does not signal the end of her commitment to girls’ education in South Africa. Instead, the academy will transition to an expanded national scholarship programme designed to support a greater number of talented young women across the country. She explained that the new approach would allow her educational mission to reach more students beyond a single residential campus.

Under the transition plan, the Gauteng Department of Education will assume responsibility for the academy’s campus in line with the original partnership agreement. Current students will continue their education without interruption, while any remaining students at the time of closure will receive financial support to complete their studies at other leading schools.

Reflecting on the academy’s legacy, Winfrey said the dream of empowering young women through education would continue in a different form, emphasising that investing in girls remains one of the most effective ways to transform communities and build future leaders.