Oprah Winfrey to Close South Africa Girls’ Academy After 20 Years — Here’s What Happens Next

Oprah Winfrey is preparing to end operations at the prestigious South African girls’ school she founded nearly two decades ago, but the decision does not mean she is ending her commitment to educating young women in the country.

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which opened in 2007, will end operations in its current form at the end of the 2027 academic year. The campus is then expected to transition to South Africa’s Gauteng provincial government.

Meanwhile, Winfrey plans to move toward an expanded scholarship model intended to provide educational opportunities to more girls across South Africa.

Oprah’s School Opened in 2007

Winfrey founded the academy near Johannesburg after conversations with the late South African President Nelson Mandela about the importance of educating girls.

Mandela attended the school’s opening ceremony in 2007.

The academy was designed to provide educational opportunities to academically talented girls, particularly those from disadvantaged communities in South Africa.

Over the years, graduates have gone on to pursue higher education in South Africa and abroad.

Why Is Oprah Ending the Academy?

The announcement may sound like Oprah is simply shutting down the school, but the planned transition is more complicated.

Winfrey said in announcing the change that the goal was never solely about constructing and maintaining one school. Her broader mission, she said, was investing in the potential of young women.

The academy says that mission will continue through an expanded national scholarship program supporting academically talented girls at leading schools across South Africa.

A representative for Winfrey told People that the scholarship model is expected to eventually provide educational access to approximately twice as many girls as the current approach.

What Happens to the Girls Currently Attending?

One of the biggest questions surrounding the announcement is what will happen to students already enrolled.

The academy is expected to graduate two more classes before ending its current operations.

According to Winfrey’s representative, remaining students will be placed at other top-tier schools, with Winfrey paying their tuition through graduation. Gauteng education officials have also said currently enrolled students will receive uninterrupted financial support.

In other words, the announced plan is not to suddenly close the doors and leave current students without educational support.

What Will Happen to the Campus?

The sprawling campus itself is not expected to disappear.

The 52-acre property is set to be transferred to the Gauteng provincial government, a handover that was part of the original arrangement surrounding the academy.

The campus includes classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a large library and a 600-seat theater.

People reported that Winfrey’s representative said the provincial government plans to continue operating the facility as a school.

That distinction is important: Winfrey’s academy is ending operations in its current form, but the campus itself is expected to continue serving an educational purpose.

Oprah Is Moving Toward Scholarships

Winfrey’s next phase will focus on providing scholarships for academically talented girls to attend leading schools throughout South Africa.

Rather than concentrating her educational investment on students attending one private academy, the new model would distribute support across multiple schools.

Winfrey said the next chapter would allow the program to reach more young women while continuing the educational mission that began more than two decades ago.

What Happens Next

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls is expected to remain operational through the 2027 academic year.

Two more classes are expected to graduate from the academy, while arrangements will be made for other students to continue their education elsewhere with Winfrey’s financial support.

After the transition, the Gauteng provincial government is expected to take control of the campus, while Winfrey shifts her philanthropic education efforts toward the expanded scholarship program.

The coming months should provide more information about how the government will operate the campus and how Winfrey’s expanded scholarship program will select and support students.

Editor’s Note

Some headlines may describe this story simply as “Oprah closing her African school.” Black Community News believes the additional context is important.

The academy is not closing immediately. It is scheduled to end operations in its current form after the 2027 academic year. Current students are expected to continue receiving educational support, the campus is being transferred to the provincial government, and Winfrey plans to expand her scholarship efforts.

This article is based on publicly available reporting and statements available as of August 2026. Black Community News will update this story if significant new information becomes available.

What Do You Think?

Do you think Oprah should have continued operating her original girls’ academy, or is moving to a scholarship model that could help more young women the better decision?

Share your thoughts in the comments.