Mandela hails Oprah's academy

2007-01-02 11:04

Johannesburg - Former state president Nelson Mandela congratulated talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Tuesday on being a benefactor to the disadvantaged around the world.

Madiba was speaking at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in Gauteng, according to a statement issued on her behalf.

Mandela said: "This is a lady who has, despite her own disadvantaged background, become one of the benefactors of the disadvantaged throughout the world and we should congratulate her for that."

The state-of-the-art US$40m (about R280m) facility was officially opened with Oprah hoisting the school flag along with Grade 8 and Grade 9 pupils handpicked by the "queen of talk".

"I know that this academy will change the trajectory of these girls' lives," she said.

"They will excel and pass their excellence on to their families, their nation, and our world."

A ceremonial programme at the campus theatre followed.

Unimaginable opportunities

The facility, at first of a public-private partnership with the Gauteng department of education, but declared independent on August 26, boasts a 28-building campus on 21ha of land in Henley on Klip, south of Johannesburg.

Mandela said: "This school will provide opportunities to some of our young people they could never imagine, had it not been for Oprah. The key to any country's future is in educating its youth.

"Oprah is not only investing in a few young individuals, but in the future of our country. We are indebted to her for her selfless efforts," said Mandela.

The school offers a private and residential learning environment for girls from Grade 7 to Grade 12.

- SAPA