After nearly two decades of shaping the lives of young leaders, media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey has announced a massive transformation for her flagship educational project. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in Henley-on-Klip, Gauteng, will conclude operations in its current residential format at the close of the 2027 academic year.
Rather than closing down permanently, the multi-million-rand campus will be handed back to the Gauteng Department of Education, fulfilling a transition clause outlined in the school’s original partnership agreement.
The Vision Behind the Shift: From One Campus to Nationwide Reach
Launched in January 2007 following a direct conversation between Winfrey and former South African President Nelson Mandela, the $40 million academy was built to offer a world-class education to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over the last 19 years, the institution has graduated over 1,000 students, producing notable alumnae including actress Siphesihle Ndaba (Gomora) and accomplished academics.
However, Winfrey’s organization noted that maintaining a single, high-cost residential boarding campus limits the number of students who can be reached. By shifting away from running physical dormitories and facility overheads, the new model will channel funds into a comprehensive nationwide scholarship program. This evolution aims to subsidize and support double the number of academically talented young women at top-tier institutions across South Africa.
What Happens to Current Students and the Campus?
- Seamless Completion: Current students enrolled at the academy will be allowed to complete their education with uninterrupted academic, financial, and personal support. Any students unable to finish before the final 2027 transition will be placed in other elite schools with their tuition fully covered by Winfrey.
- Government Takeover: The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed preparations are underway to absorb the state-of-the-art campus, assuring the public that learning and educational utility on the grounds will continue seamlessly under provincial oversight.
- A Lasting Legacy: Reflecting on the monumental change, Winfrey stated, “The dream was never simply to build a school. It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women. That mission doesn’t end with one campus.”
