HENLEY-ON-KLIP, South Africa – Oprah Winfrey headed a celebrity lineup that included Tina Turner and Spike Lee at the opening Tuesday of the talk show queen’s new leadership academy for poor South African girls.
The true stars, though, were Sade and Megan, whose father killed their mother and then himself; Zodwa, whose mother died of AIDS; and about 150 other girls who Winfrey said had a “light so bright” that it shone through their deprivation and helped their dreams come true.
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 said she planned to open another school for boys and girls this month in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.
Guests on Tuesday, including Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Sidney Poitier and Chris Tucker, were asked to bring a personally inscribed book for the library.
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 his wife, Graca Machel, and Winfrey.
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,” she said.
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.”
Winfrey promised to continue to support the girls so they could attend any university in the world.
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.
Winfrey said she chose “every brick tile, sheet and spoon,” because “if you are surrounded by beautiful things and wonderful teachers who inspire you, that beauty brings out the beauty in you.”
Winfrey selected the 11- to 12-year-old girls from 3,500 applicants. To qualify, they had to show academic and leadership potential and have a household income of no more than $787 a month.
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