Oprah Winfrey hands over control of South African girls school

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Jul 29, 2026

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Oprah Winfrey is handing over operations of the South African school for girls she opened in 2002 to local officials.

The multibillionaire media mogul calls the move part of a plan that will “expand” the mission of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG).

“Following the completion of the 2027 academic year, the residential campus will conclude its role as the heart of the program and be returned to South Africa’s Gauteng Department of Education, as envisioned in the original partnership agreement,” according to a statement posted on Winfrey’s website Oprahdaily.com.

Students currently enrolled are assured they’ll be allowed to complete their education under their current arrangement before the country’s local department of education assumes leadership.

Winfrey’s organization said that it intends to remain active in the community where it has already graduated more than 1,000 students and intends to hand diplomas to two more classes still in progress.

The 72-year-old talk show host and philanthropist has committed to paying tuition for girls wishing to attend “other top-tier schools” moving forward, according to People.

Winfrey told that publication in 291t that OWLAG is her “greatest legacy.”

She said the school was inspired by a talk with Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former South African leader Nelson Mandela.

“From the very beginning, I said to Nelson Mandela, ‘I want to create a school for smart girls who will lead this country into glory,” she said in 2006.

Madela told her in a 2001 interview that he believed building schools and providing scholarships delivers people from illiteracy and poverty.

“For OWLAG, the next chapter is just beginning,” Winfrey’s organization said Monday.

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