Oprah Winfrey participated in a star-studded opening ceremony for her new school in South Africa yesterday. Despite the attendance of celebrities like Mariah Carey, Sidney Poitier, Spike Lee, and Tina Turner, the real stars of the day were the school girls who assisted Oprah as she cut the ribbon to the entranceway of her new $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy located on a 50-acre site just outside the city of Johannesburg.
This school is a realization of Oprah’s dream to do something significant for those who have not. It was also built in response to former South African President Nelson Mandela‘s request. When she met Mr. Mandela several years ago, Oprah asked him what was the most pressing need in his country, and he explained that it was education. Oprah’s response is certainly more than impressive, and its purpose is to offer the girls maximum opportunity for scholarly success in an environment that is not only conducive to learning but also provides them with every amenity. While this bothers some, Oprah's goal is to make the experience not just a daily respite from real life but about altering their lives forever.
As I watched Oprah “defending” herself on CNN’s Larry King Live last night, I felt a sense of outrage. In these days before we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on a national holiday here in the United States, I find it troublesome that people are questioning Oprah’s motivation for building this school. Confounding and basically silencing her critics with her benevolence, Oprah has maintained her dignity while eloquently explaining her reasons for building the school in South Africa. As she has done this, she echoes the passionate call of Dr. King to make life better, not just for people of one race in one place but, for people everywhere.
The objection some critics have made about the school is insulting, not just to Oprah, but to all people in this country and the world. Why criticize someone for spreading goodwill and doing good works? It reminds me of those critics who complained about Madonna and Angelina Jolie adopting babies from other countries. Instead of lauding these women for their good intentions, people complain that there are babies in this country that need to be adopted and schools that need to be built.
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— go to most recent comments1 - sd
I'm not condemning what she is doing it is very honorable. What I'm feeling is that there are other cultures not just Africa who need our help in other parts of the world and in the United States. There are Hispanics, Whites, Asians, other Africans, Native Americans, etc.. who are suffering here in our country and around the world and it would be great if OPRAH also highlighted that everyone needs to take care of each other and lift each other spirits up and help each other have the best of everything etc..
2 - Victor Lana
I agree with you that there are a whole lot of other people everywhere who need help. I think what Oprah has done is show us the way. One person, even the richest, cannot care for every person in the world, but by example we can see that it's possible.
I think it's great that people like Oprah, Warren Buffet, and Bill Gates give away so much money to help others; this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much wealth and bounty in this country (I believe our harvests could feed the world 5x over or something like that), that instead of pouring billions of dollars into war, we could spend it feeding, clothing, and building. We could be sending medicine to the sick and doing so much more.
It's not just up to Americans. Many countries have wealth and it would be amazing if all the nations of the earth got together and said, "let's put down our arms and lets pick up our wallets. Let's rid the world of poverty, hunger, and disease."
Wouldn't that be grand?
3 - Zedd
sd
If you watch the Oprah show you would know that she highlights issues of loss and devistation all over the world. Her Angel Network has been supporting causes in America including the Katrina victims and millions prior to that.
Kudos to her.
4 - Zedd
Victor
I wouldn't call South Africa a poor country by any means. I would however say that the poor in South Africa are extremely poor.
Oprah happens to have an afinity for that country and its people so she did her project there.
Most people that visit South Africa are taken aback by its people, its uniqueness and its incredible beauty.
5 - Victor Lana
S. Africa reminds me of the Czech Republic. Though under very different circumstances, Mandela went from a jail cell to being President in a similar way as did the Czech's Vaclav Haval. Both did live under oppressive regimes, though the former gov't of S. Africa practicing Apartheid was an evil based on the worst of all things.
I think Oprah chose the place as much as to make a statement about how to do good for those who need help, but she also was moved by Mandela and wanted to honor him in some way too.
6 - reggie von woic
While i feel that $40 mil could have done ALOT more for children in SA rather than pamper some 150 or so girls, Oprah's move is honorable and she deserves much respect for it.
I'm glad she picked Africa..
7 - Mattie Boyce
I would love to teach at this school.
M. Boyce
8 - Brittany Jade Wilson
I am really glad that Oprah made the decision to give away her money with such a greatful heart. She deserves the upmost respect from all of the United States and she should not, under ANY curcumstance, be put down by for the way in which she chose to help out these precious little girls. It shouldn't always be about ourselves and what we want. God wants us to give with a loving and cheerful heart, just as he has given to us. I really believe that Oprah is a wonderful lady, and I chose to do this topic for my current events class report tomorrow at my high school, Central Valley Christian High School in Visalia, California. Thankyou for your post and God Bless You. -Brittany Jade Wilson, Tulare, California
9 - Victor Lana
Good luck with your report, Brittany. Someone like Oprah is a fantastic role model, an excellent subject for reporting, and hopefully someone who will inspire others to do as she does. Good luck!
10 - Shermena Ingram
i had to write a journal for my World history class and i choose to write it on Oprahs school, and i would like to share it, here it is:
Shermena Ingram
Journal for Friday 1/3/07
2nd period World History class
Oprah’s New School In South Africa
I choose to write my journal for this week on Oprah’s new school in South Africa, for girls. I choose to write about this because; so many people have had so much to say about why Oprah choose to build a school in Africa instead of in the United States where (media say) “it is needed“. If you ask me I would say that she was right for what she did, by building the school in Africa, because that is really where it is needed, where the students want to learn, and where they appreciate being able to have a school to go to. If you ask me I would say that there are plenty of schools here in the United States , for us (the students) to go to, I believe that the students just don’t take advantage of the opportunity to go to school and try and learn, and get an education.
11 - Victor Lana
Thank you so very much for sharing your journal entry here, Shermena. Good luck in your World History class.
12 - Brittany Jade Wilson
Thanks for the support on my report! (I got an "A")Much Love!
-brit
13 - James
I'm a South African living in Los Angeles. What Oprah's done to give public cognisance to so many causes over the years is amazing - but this touched my very soul.
This is not about "pampering 150 girls" - it's about massively elevating the importance of education and leadership, two of the most key fundamentals of building a nation's future, and providing extraordinary opportunity for extraordinary potential, otherwise untapped,to sprout the wings it truly deserves.
All of us living in wealthy countries of abundance and plenty, owe it to humanity to follow Oprah's lead and give without reservation as far as our capacities allow, to those who need it more than we do, no matter where in the world.
What a lady. Thank you, Oprah, for your inspiration and for what you have done for my country.
14 - Simanga
Oprah is the sun for black girls living in the corners of Africa, having No hope of the future,
People should stop complaining and appreciate what people like Oprah are doing, there are thousands of million dollar rich people who only feeds their stomachs and Oprah differs...
15 - Victor Lana
Thanks for the new comments on this piece. I would hope that Oprah's good works are not only recognized but replicated. There are many wealthy people out there who need to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.
16 - FIKILE NHLAPO
OPRAH I ENVY YOU FROM THE UTMOST OF MY HEART .I SAW LIFE BEING BROUGHT BACK INTO THOSE LITTLE GIRLS LIVES,HOPE,COURAGE AND TO TOP IT ALL LOVE AND LAUGHTER.I PERSONALLY LOOK UP TO YOU ,LEARN FROM YOU AND I JUST WANT TO SAY IN AN AFRICAN WAY "siyabonga" BECAUSE YOU INVESTED IN SOMETHING THAT WILL LAST FOR EVER AND NOT ONLY THIS GIRLS WILL BENEFIT BUT ALSO THE FUTURE GENERATION.BLESSED IS THE HAND THAT GIVES THAN THE ONE THAT RECIEVES......
17 - Andrew
Rules at Oprah Winfrey's posh school at Henley-on-Klip near Johannesburg apparently make a reformatory look like a holiday resort, the Witness reported on Monday Read more
18 - Nadia Zaki Bishai, Ph.D., London.
Dear Oprah,
I am an emeritus professor in the Department of English, University of Alexandria, also a poet and performing pianist. I was enchanted by tonight's program on your new leadership school, and perhaps can help teach literature, music, creative writing and conduct a choir. I am a former member of the International Writers' Program (University of Iowa, 1979-80), and member of the London
symphony Chorus (1965-67). I have also studied music at the Alexandria Conservatoire and taught there, as well as at the Alexandria branch of the Cairo Academy of Arts. If you do start schools in England, France, Italy or Spain, I would love to spend a year there. I am 69 and still going strong!
As a published poet in THE IOWA REVIEW, CRTICAL QUARTERLY, AFRICAN WRITING TODAY and others,I would also like to repeat my request to read my poetry on the Oprah show any summer. That's when I can get away, since I'm still teaching here. You would not have to worry about my air ticket, and Chicago isn't too far from Iowa where I have friends I must see. My American visa is valid for the next two years or so. I should add that I write in English and consider myself a sort of hyphen between east and west.
Thanks again for your lovely programs which I try not to miss, Dr. Phil's too. I think they're great. Have a lovely Easter. I love it when we all celebrate it together, this year on 8 April.
Sincerely,
Nadia.
19 - TEIRA SANDERS
I think they do deserve to have a school because the kids that have school dont even appreciate that they have a school
TEIRA SANDERS LOVE OPRAH
20 - Victor Lana
I do appreciate getting comments on this article long after it has been posted. Thank you for your thoughts and attention to this piece.
21 - Juanita Salter
oprah opened the school to help young girls see that they could do more than what they are being told they can and that they can learn something new. she opened the gates to south african girls t blossem into SMART young ladies and further on to women i thing she did SA a great success....
22 - Ronika
that is good for africa to have a school for the girls in Africa
23 - aannnnnnaaa aaabbboootttttt
wonderrfuuulll
24 - CHRIS COYEEL
i think that it was a great idea just that it went little to far because of the ra-pe from the janitors to the girl . it went ove3rboard and i do not respcect that happeneding that is why i say it is gay
25 - precious malatji
i'm a 14 year old girl from phalaborwa in limpopo province. i would like to attend oprah's new school in south africa. [Personal contact info deleted]