PAN-AFRICAN CONNECTION

Oprah: Queen of Spades 06/12/2002 19:05 - (SA) (http://www.news24.com)

Johannesburg - The obscure settlement of Henley-on-Klip, south of Johannesburg, will soon find itself on the world map after Oprah Winfrey, one of the world's most influential voices, took the first steps on Thursday to building a model school in the area. Winfrey is building the multi-milion dollar boarding school, which will cater for bright but disadvantaged young women from across South Africa and neighbouring countries. Thousands of curious onlookers clamoured for a glimpse of the world renowned American talk-show host and philanthropist as she, former president Nelson Mandela and Education Minister Kader Asmal donned their safety helmets and turned the first sod on the building site. The $10m (about R95m) Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa will be located on a 8.9 hectare piece of land with its landscaped gardens and buildings offering a safe and nurturing educational environment. Winfrey declared: "Our academy will be a good neighbour to the people of Henley-on-Klip".

She also sounded a warning to abusers of women that the complex would empower women to "stand up and speak out against abuse". Winfrey said the lack of adequate protection for women had led to a general acceptance of violence against them.

The academy would train young women to become decision-makers and leaders. "We will be focusing on teaching them to be brave, strong girls with big hearts. The campus will have only two streets: one for learning and the other for leadership," she said. "This will be a model school for the rest of the world, and I will be overseeing even the smallest detail, including furnishing, during its construction," she said. Winfrey indicated that she would return frequently to South Africa to check on progress at the school. Winfrey said the school was as a result of her great affection for Mandela, "her greatest mentor", and the people of South Africa who have made many achievements "despite all their suffering from apartheid". 'Queen Oprah'

Winfrey related how Mandela, on a visit to the US, wooed her into agreeing to the academy. "I was chatting to Madiba in his lounge when I thought he was about to ask for money (for one worthy cause or the other) as he is known for that, so I just said 'yes, I will do it' before he was even finished," she said to laughter. Mandela kept the audience in stitches with his constant referral to "Queen Oprah".

He said that disadvantaged South Africans continued to benefit immensely from the actions of people like Oprah who continuously regarded the world as the focus of their goodwill. Mandela said Winfrey's generosity was not a "knee jerk reaction" but part of her many goodwill activities to many people of the world. "While we know that she will still do more for the world as she is still young, we are very satisfied by what she has done for us," he said. Asmal said the sod-turning ceremony coincided with the "Sixteen Days of Peace/Activism" campaign, promoting awareness of violence against women and children.

http://www.millionairewomen.com/mw/oprah.html

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