Top > Entertainment > 2007 > January > 2007-01-13

Oprah?s Girl?s School Opens in Johannesburg

In true Hollywood style, Oprah Winfrey officially opened her custom-built girl?s school in Henley-on-Klip, just out of Johannesburg, South Africa. The popular television personality invited a multitude of celebrities, including actors and former South African President, Nelson Mandela to witness the opening of the school that will provide poor girls with the education opportunity of a lifetime.

3500 girls from around the country applied to get into the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, although Winfrey herself eventually handpicked only 152 11-12 year olds. To qualify, the girls had to show exceptional academic scores and leadership potential. They also had to prove that their parents earned less than $800 a month. In a country where two-thirds of the children eventually drop out of school, the chance of experiencing education on this level at no cost is almost nil.

The lucky girls will be given the type of schooling that most of us only dream about. The school comes equipped with everything of the best, including luxury dormitories, state of the art technology and a well-equipped library. The school, which also boasts a wellness center, is set on 52 acres of land and many consider it to be more of a luxury hotel than an educational facility. Winfrey initially pledged $10 million towards the building of the school but has reportedly invested four times that amount.