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Oprah Winfrey's school tears
Oct 29, 2007, 12:30 GMT
Oprah Winfrey - USA © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos
Oprah Winfrey has been left devastated by allegations students at her South African all-girls school have been sexually abused by staff.
The US chat show host - who opened the Leadership Academy for Girls, a boarding school for the gifted near Johannesburg, in January - broke down in tears as she begged for forgiveness from parents over the claims.
Oprah said at an emergency meeting at the school: "I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
The 53-year-old TV star cancelled appointments to fly to South Africa for the second time in two weeks after allegations emerged that one of the matrons fondled a girl and that other pupils had been physically abused.
One student claimed a matron grabbed her by the throat and threw her against a wall, while other girls have said the "dorm parent" swore and screamed at them, assaulted them and sexually fondled at least one girl.
The alleged incidents came to light when one of the pupils ran away from the $46 million school, which Oprah opened to provide quality education to underprivileged girls.
Oprah - who has spoken openly about being abused as a child - has since given the girls her personal telephone number, her email address and her postal address so they can contact her at any time.
South African police and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are now investigating the matter.
Two weeks ago, Oprah placed the matron suspected of being at the centre of the allegations on leave, along with at least one other matron and the principal.
(C) BANG Media International
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Older Talkback
page: 1
I know that nothing comes easy in this life with out sacrificing. and that we live in a cruel world child abuse takes place in South Africa on a daily bases and Oprah can relate best to those girls based on her pass. she cannot be blamed for what happend because her intentions are pure.
yes the school needs a good spring cleaning system and like all companys it is going to take the school a while.
parents must not forget that there children had been blessed and that positive change is needed so what if the school is to srict. just think back on how thankfull they were and now that the procedure of positive change is there they cannnot wait but to complaine instead of making surgestions maybee introduce a new cooking system if the food does not fill the girls because they are use to having pap or nothing.and visitation rights - how is the child to change for the better if you continuesly bring your negative spirit from home there shoul not be any visitaion i will say at all.
the people who done wrong to the students will be dealth with the help of the Law it can happen in any scool or church. but at the same time they are creating a clean sytem for the next 5 million even more student who will be attending. South Africa wake up. and consintrate on the positive Oprha had done. Thank you for what you are doing and going to do hang in there when you do something wrong all will go well but if you do good it becomes more difficult.
we cannot blame innocent people. the people convicted of the crime will be dealth with. it happend and Oprah has done her best in dealing with the situation.based on her pass experience. We need to move on and consintrate on all the positive change she brougt to south africa.
abuse takes place on a daily bases but those gilrs done rigt by informing the wrong that has happend. they will be saving all the future students from harm and Oprah can see now how and what Type of people to employ.
page: 1
Johnny RockOct 29th, 2007 - 13:41:38
Interesting that, at least for now, the 'A-list' US MSM are leaving this one alone...Not to Disparage M&C, but search for 'oprah school' on Google News right now and look at the outlets reporting on this story.
Not sure what to make of that. Hard to believe that its not 'newsworthy' considering O's visibility, good intentions and her own sad history of abuse. It sounds like she is doing all she can under the circumstances -- so why the news brownout?
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