Oprah Offers Apologies

Oprah Winfrey flew to South Africa twice in 10 days to her beloved $40 million school for underprivileged girls to investigate the shocking accusations of physical and possibly, sexual abuse of students. Winfrey cleared her calendar including an Oct. 12 appearance at the American Cinematheque awards honoring Julia Roberts to meet with school officials and nervous parents.

Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls in the town of Henley-on-Klip opened earlier this year. On a visit to the school in August, she told parents, “I want you to know that these are our daughters. I want you to trust me with them.” In an emotional apology during the emergency meeting she said “I’ve disappointed you… … I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.

A victim of sexual abuse herself Winfrey said “nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy.” ”It is my deepest hope that the accused is brought to justice and that this serves as a reminder that any time a child has the courage to step forward, it is our duty as adults to listen and take immediate action.” Well when you’re Oprah you do more than hope for things.

Her reaction was swift and Winfrey immediately fired the woman and suspended the school’s principal with pay to ensure an impartial investigation. She also hired a U.S. team of private investigators, led by a 30-year investigator of child exploitation at Chicago’s Cook County Sheriff’s Office, to work with South African police. As a result the former dormitory matron at the school has been formally arrested by South African police.

The unidentified woman allegedly fondled at least one of the girls, according to Rapport an Afrikaans-language newspaper. “Several charges including alleged assault, indecent assault, criminal injury and soliciting underage girls to perform indecent acts are being investigated against her,” Police Superintendent Lunge Dlamini said in a statement. She is currently being held in police custody.

Winfrey has subsequently given students her private phone number, email and mailing address so that they can contact her at any time with concerns of any kind. According to NBC News, Winfrey is also giving her “daughters” cell phones as another mode contact. If all cases of child abuse were handled this thoroughly we might not need Amber Alerts and Pedophile registries but not everyone has Oprah’s kind of pull (or her deep pockets).

These young women are fortunate to have a “Mommy Winfrey” on their side. Bravo to Oprah for being vigilant and tactful (as always) but more importantly I her brownie points for not sending someone to “handle this.” The fact that she personally addressed the issue shows a great deal about her character and only adds to my respect for her.

Since the school opened I have heard a number of people trashing the idea that black American would “leave our kids” and open a school “all the way” in Africa. “Did it really have to cost over $40 million dollars? You could build 5 schools with that money.” The negative remarks are too many to remember. To haters I must ask when was the last time you open the door for a stranger let alone a whole school? Africa is desperately in need because the entire world has robed her, striped her natural resources and disregarded her inhabitants. Africa’s children deserve a high quality education and if someone is in a position to give it to them the best education the world has to offer we should applaud not criticize that someone. One of these girls will be president or CEO and have Oprah on speed dial… don’t hate.