Star-Studded Opening For Oprah's School

Spike Lee, Tina Turner, Blige, Mariah, Poitier, Tucker At Ribbon-Cutting With Nelson Mandela

(AP)  Oprah Winfrey headed a celebrity lineup that included Tina Turner and Spike Lee at the opening of her school for poor South African girls.

The true stars Tuesday, though, were Sade and Megan, whose father killed their mother and then himself; Zodwa, whose mother died of AIDS, and some 150 other girls who Winfrey said have a "light so bright" that it shines through despite their circumstances.

The $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in the town of Henley-on-Klip, south of Johannesburg, plucked the girls from poverty to be groomed for power.

Winfrey, who began her own life in humble circumstances in Mississippi, plans to open another school – this time for boys and girls - in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province later this month.

Guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Sidney Poitier and Chris Tucker, were asked to bring a personally inscribed book for the library, which includes everything from self-help books to Harry Potter.

Winfrey, who is called "Mam Oprah" by the girls, said she came with a celebrity posse for a reason. "These people have the power to do things. They have voices which can be heard in the U.S. and across the world," said the talk show superstar, who built an empire by following her own passions for self-improvement, helping others, promoting literacy and the arts.

Spike Lee, who attended with his family, said it was a "testimony to Oprah's power to see all these people showed up to support her."

Africa has drawn attention from numerous celebrities, including rockers Bono, Bob Geldolf, and Madonna and actor/director George Clooney, who is using his voice to speak out against the violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Nelson Mandela, whom Winfrey credited with inspiring her to build the school, interrupted his vacation for the ceremony. Mandela, 88, looked frail as he was helped to the stage by Winfrey and his wife, Graca Machel.

The anti-apartheid leader, who became South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994, beamed as he told Winfrey: "This is not a distant donation, but a project that clearly lies close to your heart."

The girls sat attentively on stage in green-and-white uniforms as the poignant stories of some were told in a documentary shown to guests. A few students greeted guests and media with Winfrey, clutching at her long pink dress and holding her hand.

Maphefo Leputu, 12, of Soweto, who used to share a bed with her cousins, said she was overwhelmed at the prospect of her own room and bathroom - and the chance to one day become a lawyer.

"I would have had a completely different life if this hadn't happened to me," said 13-year-old Lesego Tlhabanyane, whose mother abandoned her when she was 4. "Now I get a life where I get to be treated like a movie star."

Earlier Winfrey said at a news conference that educating girls could have far-reaching benefits.

"Girls who are educated are less likely to get HIV/AIDS, and in this country, which has such a pandemic, we have to begin to change the pandemic," she said.

Gene Sperling, director of the Center for Universal Education at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the world has only recently begun to understand the breadth of the positive impact of education on problems as diverse as infant and maternal mortality and the contraction of deadly diseases. Previously, he said, experts had only linked education with rising incomes.

"There's never a CNN camera showing a child dying from lack of education, but children die from lack of education every day," Sperling said.

Many of the girls at Winfrey's school come from families affected by AIDS, which has infected 5.4 million of South Africa's 48 million population and hit women disproportionately hard.

Winfrey referred repeatedly to her own impoverished childhood and said she was grateful she had a good education.

She promised to continue to support the girls so they could attend any university in the world.

The idea for the school was born in 2000 at a meeting between Winfrey and Mandela.

Built on 52 acres, the 28-building campus resembles a luxury hotel, with state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs and a library, theater and wellness center. Each girl lives in a two-bedroom suite. It will eventually have 450 students.

Some South Africans called the school elitist and a waste of money which could have been used to educate more children. But others applauded Winfrey.

"Any initiative which ... enhances the quality of education and which enhances the possibility of a young person realizing their dream to do better is a welcome opportunity," Education Minister Naledi Pandor said.

Princeton Lyman, a former U.S. ambassador to South Africa and currently a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said there had to be investment in education both in the way Winfrey is tackling the issue, and in ways that help the broader population.

"You make leaders by treating them as elite," said Ken Walker, the Africa press officer in Johannesburg for the aid group CARE, pointing out that a private individual has different responsibilities from those of a government.

"Now if the government builds a school for $40 million for 450 kids, then we can quibble about it," he said.

Despite government efforts to improve the school system, the education department said last week that two-thirds of the 1,667,000 South African children who started school 12 years ago dropped out, and only 5 percent did well enough to be eligible to go to a university.

State-funded schools, especially in the townships that sprang up under white racist rule, are plagued by gang violence, drugs and a high rate of teen pregnancy.

Winfrey selected the 11- to 12-year-old girls for the school from 3,500 applications across the country. To qualify, they had to show both academic and leadership potential and have a household income of no more than 5,000 rands ($787) a month.

Winfrey is building a home for herself on the campus and plans to spend time with the girls and be involved in their education.

"I love these girls with every part of my being," she said. "I didn't know you could feel this way about other people's children."

[santos66]

Oprah, Spike Lee and Kanye West...............3 odf the bigest rascist, bigots in the world today

[bass6264]

You go girl. The feeling you get with the help you give is pricless.A few years down the road it will pay off and be a blessing to others. It will keep on blessing and helping for years and years, God bless and keep you safe Patricia Bass Adamsville Alabama

[claw07]

Oh Oprah! I am so very proud of you. You have no idea of the impact you have on the lives of the people you never even lay eyes on. I admire everything you are in a person. And yes, I know you are not perfect...even in my imagination, but you are a women in serious pursuit of changing the world we live in and I am most greatful for all your efforts.

Respectfully,

CL
Riverdale, GA

[lomiracle]

It is wonderful that someone of Oprah's caliber is willing to take an interest in the lives, well-being and education of anyone, regardless of where they live. It is not a requirement to care about people. Maybe next time, she won't build a school, she can hire a college football coach. I am a teacher in a public school system in a rural,poverty stricken area and I totally agree with the comments made by Fartknocker2 above. We just moved into a new facility this year and it is already nasty and vandalized in many areas. The students smoke in the bathrooms and lay cigarettes on the commode seats to melt them or they put them out on the wall. For the most part, they don't appreciate what is given to them or what is done for them. Perhaps, she realized in this country that it would be a waste. Afterall, most kids in this country think that school is a place to come and watch grownups work.

[ssporleder]

ra1man, FARTKNOCKER2 adn ikiplagat all have great views.
I think if this had been in the US, she could have found girls with the same qualifications and provided jobs here.
She chose South Africa, stated her reasons and she is comfortable with that.
No matter where she does this, it is an amazing gift and not frivolous as on her show sometimes. This is a terrific opportunity for any child. She is lucky to be able to fund it and maintain it. No matter what negative things people come up with, bottom line is she is doing good, she is giving her money - hard earned or oherwise, to those in need.
I would like to see some mogul step up to the plate and take care of our veterans and homeless, as well.
There are pleny of people who could, but are too self-consumed.
And they know who they are.

[ra1man]

Here's my problem with this...Oprah has made $$$$$ off Americans, especially Blacks who watch her show and buy the products advertised on it. Then she sends the money overseas, and screws the people who made her rich. OK, it's her money, so she can do what she wants with it, and if the Blacks that watch her show don't mind, neither do I. But is this going to be a tax write-off? Is America going to chip in with lost tax dollars for her "Acadamy of the gifted"? Is she going to include her multi-million dollar mansion in with this tax write-off? And what kind of payback is she expecting from these girls for her "donation"? Will they have to come and work for her? What a perfect idea, huh? Pay for their schooling with a tax write-off, then make them work for you for peanuts. Maybe the IRS should take a VERY good look at Oprah's income tax file!

[cmuriuki]

HELLO PEOPLE THIS IS AMERICA!! SHE CAN SPEND HER MONEY ON WHAT SHE SEES FIT. TAKE IT FROM ME IVE, TRAVELED THE WORD AS A NURSE, THOSE GIRLS GENUINELY NEED THE HELP. THE COMPLETE SADNESS IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD IS PROFUND. TO SAY THE THINGS IVE READ ON HERE ABOUT OPRAH SHOWS THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR THE WORLD.
IT BREAKS MY HEART.

[oleander8]

It's Oprah's money - she can spend it how she chooses. Children everywhere suffer and lack education. She's doing her bit and I applaud her. She can't cover the whole world. At least she isn't trying to hide her money away in a tax dodge.

[blackchild4]

A View from the back of the Bus,

I am confused, who is Oprah? 40 Million dollars buys a lots of publicity, but will it really help the world.
People in America are hurting, jobs are being exported, and our mainstay is being imported.
I seems to me the next sound we hear might be this great being flushed down the drain.
I guess there is no poor people in America, just High paid TV and Movie Stars,
My Grandma once said Charity begans at home.
Yes 40 million will get you a lots of publicity,
man the do-nuts are stale but if I warm them on my hot plate they will taste good.

[redheadmom2]

Kudos to Oprah for realizing that a full-belly and good living conditions make a huge difference in the success of education. Every effort made makes a difference.

[Geneius]

Come on people, what makes you think Oprah spent 40 mil of her own money. She probably raised the money.

[bluestardad]

Hey HOE what have you done for American Kids?

[ikiplagat]

Oprah should get tips from Bill Gates. The richest man in the universe has funded the building of many health centers in Kenya(Not model Health Center).His foundation suppliers crucial ARVs and TB drugs to these dispensaries.Oprah should just get over this celebrity madness of attracting attention! I don't think that her academy will help the millions in South Africa.Thanks Oprah,but am sorry thats a white Elephant!
Isaac Kiplagat,Kenya

[ikiplagat]

Oprah should get tips from Bill Gates. The richest man in the universe has funded the building of many health centers in Kenya(Not model Health Center).His foundation suppliers crucial ARVs and TB drugs to these dispensaries.Oprah should just get over this celebrity madness of attracting attention! I don't think that her academy will help the millions in South Africa.Thanks Oprah,but am sorry thats a white Elephant!
Isaac Kiplagat,Kenya

[ikiplagat]

I find it extremely funny that Oprah can spend $40 million for one academy.It is also amusing that one of the qualification is that you should prove that you earn less than $750 per month! Does Oprah live in Jupiter? for heavens sake...90% of Africans live on less than $30 per month!.And how does a poverty stricken 11 year old girls show leadership potential when they have never in their lives had a role model?? For $40 million dollars,you can build 200 schools for the poor in Kenya.It could even be more because if you bring the money..Kenyans will volunteer manual work to build schools.

[ikiplagat]

I find it extremely funny that Oprah can spend $40 million for one academy.It is also amusing that one of the qualification is that you should prove that you earn less than $750 per month! Does Oprah live in Jupiter? for heavens sake...90% of Africans live on less than $30 per month!.And how does a poverty stricken 11 year old girls show leadership potential when they have never in their lives had a role model?? For $40 million dollars,you can build 200 schools for the poor in Kenya.It could even be more because if you bring the money..Kenyans will volunteer manual work to build schools.

[ikiplagat]

I find it extremely funny that Oprah can spend $40 million for one academy.It is also amusing that one of the qualification is that you should prove that you earn less than $750 per month! Does Oprah live in Jupiter? for heavens sake...90% of Africans live on less than $30 per month!.And how does a poverty stricken 11 year old girls show leadership potential when they have never in their lives had a role model?? For $40 million dollars,you can build 200 schools for the poor in Kenya.It could even be more because if you bring the money..Kenyans will volunteer manual work to build schools.Oprah should ask Bill Gates how to spend money.Bill Gates through his foundation has build small dispensaries in rural Kenya where people access ARVs and TB drugs.Oprah is just obsessed with Philanthropy

[hepkat2]

I'm normally a huge fan of Oprah's but this time I've gotta say, c'mon Oprah, 40 million could have built 40 schools! Wouldn't THAT have been a more effective means to eradicating poverty in Africa than a sprawling, gated, luxurious prep-school limited to just a few dozen students? I fail to see how a state of the art theater or marble dinner tables will alleviate poverty or what they have to do with providing a sound education. I myself have attended public schools in NY my entire life and am proud to say that I've received a first rate education at tax payers' benefit.

I hate to say this, but I think this has more to do with ego than philanthropy. After all, the school DOES carry her name.

If I had 40 million dollars to spend, and hopefully one day I will, I would have used that money to construct dozens of structurally sturdy schools in the most needy parts of Africa. I share her philosophy of education being the BEST way of eradicating poverty but we differ on the benefits of an Oprah Winfrey Acadamy for girls.


What about little boys? Don't they need an education as well? After all, ignorant little boys left uncheck will grow up to be ignorant men.

[hepkat2]

I'm normally a huge fan of Oprah's but this time I've gotta say, c'mon Oprah, 40 million could have built 40 schools! Wouldn't THAT have been a more effective means to eradicating poverty in Africa than a sprawling, gated, luxurious prep-school limited to just a few dozen students? I fail to see how a state of the art theater or marble dinner tables will alleviate poverty or what they have to do with providing a sound education. I myself have attended public schools in NY my entire life and am proud to say that I've received a first rate education at tax payers' benefit.

I hate to say this, but I think this has more to do with ego than philanthropy. After all, the school DOES carry her name.

If I had 40 million dollars to spend, and hopefully one day I will, I would have used that money to construct dozens of structurally sturdy schools in the most needy parts of Africa. I share her philosophy of education being the BEST way of eradicating poverty but we differ on the benefits of an Oprah Winfrey Acadamy for girls.


What about little boys? Don't they need an education as well? After all, ignorant little boys left uncheck will grow up to be ignorant men.

[hepkat2]

I'm normally a huge fan of Oprah's but this time I've gotta say, c'mon Oprah, 40 million could have built 40 schools! Wouldn't THAT have been a more effective means to eradicating poverty in Africa than a sprawling, gated, luxurious prep-school limited to just a few dozen students? I fail to see how a state of the art theater or marble dinner tables will alleviate poverty or what they have to do with providing a sound education. I myself have attended public schools in NY my entire life and am proud to say that I've received a first rate education at tax payers' benefit.

I hate to say this, but I think this has more to do with ego than philanthropy. After all, the school DOES carry her name.

If I had 40 million dollars to spend, and hopefully one day I will, I would have used that money to construct dozens of structurally sturdy schools in the most needy parts of Africa. I share her philosophy of education being the BEST way of eradicating poverty (you have to start with the mind), but we differ on the benefits of an Oprah Winfrey Acadamy for girls.


What about little boys? Don't they need an education as well? After all, ignorant little boys left uncheck will grow up to be ignorant men.