A recent scandal at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls near Johannesburg, South Africa has spread via news reporting agencies worldwide. Oprah Winfrey traveled to the school for the second time in two weeks to deal with the burgeoning crisis, which involves a dorm matron’s alleged physical abuse and sexual misconduct.
Oprah Winfrey: Scandal
Local African newspaper Rapport reports that a dorm mother has been accused of grabbing a student by the throat and throwing her against a wall, in addition to swearing and screaming at the girls, and assaulting them. In the most severe allegation, she is also accused of sexually fondling at least one student.
The alleged incidents surfaced when one of the pupils ran away from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy because the reported abuse had become intolerable. The student's parents subsequently informed the school.
Oprah Makes a Statement
The chief executive of the academy, John Samuel, said in a statement that the South African police unit on family violence, child protection and sexual offense (FCS) had been informed of the alleged incidents and that the matron has been temporarily suspended pending an investigation.
“The inquiry is being conducted in a manner that supports the safe and nurturing environment of the academy, with minimal disruption to campus life. In addition, the academy is providing psychological support and counseling services to our learners,” read the statement, the only public comment that has been released so far by the school.
School Scandal Response
Oprah Winfrey spent over $40 million building the school and is called "Mama Oprah" by the students. She flew immediately to the school, missing an appearance at a Julia Roberts event, to investigate the situation. Winfrey, who has no children of her own and was abused as a child herself, issued the following brief statement:
"Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy." She has not discussed the alleged incidents on either her talk show or her website.
History of the Oprah Winfrey School
Oprah Winfrey’s dream school is located at Henley on Klip, a quiet mining town north of Johannesburg , South Africa, and has been the setting of controversy since January, when it opened, housing 150 of the country’s poorest but brightest girls. Local residents have complained about everything from the buildings being an eyesore to not being hired for school cleaning and cooking jobs, while local police have complained about private firms handling security, the level of which has also been mentioned as a concern by parents.
The 28-building Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls campus encompasses 52 acres, and includes classrooms, computers and science laboratories, a library and a theatre.
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