Oprah Winfrey has announced the end of her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa . This doesn’t mean she won’t invest in education again, Winfrey says it is the beginning of a new initiative that will allow her to offer scholarships to girls in the country. 

The idea was inspired by her meeting with Mandela in 20000. During their discussions, they agreed that education will curb poverty. Construction of the school began in 2002, and the first students were accepted in January 2007. The school has educated academically talented girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Photo: Instagram

According to Winfrey, the decision to open a new chapter is because she believes the current model has completed its mission. 

“The dream was never simply to build a school. It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women,” Winfrey said in a statement. 

Her focus is on scholarship programmes that will support girls across South Africa.

Read Also: Naomi Campbell Honours Nelson Mandela on What Would Have Been His 108th Birthday

She said:

“I’m excited that this next chapter will allow us to reach even more young women across South Africa and continue the promise that began more than 20 years ago,” 

Her representative said the programme could support twice as many girls as the current academy model. She said:

“That is the core of the decision to shift to this new model after seeing the success of past students ,”

The academy has produced more than 1,000 graduates since opening in 2007. Every student from the first graduating class gained admission to universities and colleges. Many former students have gone on to careers in many industries.  The school’s philosophy is based on teaching young women to become leaders of tomorrow. 

Photo: Instagram

Current students will be allowed to complete their studies before the facility transitions. It will then be transferred to the Gauteng Department of Education. 

Students who are still completing their studies during this transition will continue to receive aid. Future beneficiaries will be offered different scholarships opportunities. 

Although the residential academy is coming to an end, Winfrey insists that her commitment to South African girls remains unchanged. She believes the new scholarship model will provide young women the opportunity to attend excellent schools and pursue higher education.

Naomi Campbell paid tribute to Nelson Mandela on what would have been his 108th birthday. She remembered the late African leader as someone who had a profound impact on her life. The British supermodel celebrated Mandela’s wisdom and leadership. 

Campbell referred to Mandela as “Tata,” which means father, and described him as someone whose words continued to stay with her. She said she treasured everything she learnt from him. .

“Happy heavenly birthday Tata @nelsonmandelafoundation today you would have been 108 yrs,” I cherish every memory of your spoken and unspoken words to me… forever in my heart.”

The tribute shows she missed him. The model said Mandela treated her like family and often described him as her honorary grandfather. 

Photo: Instagram

Campbell met Mandela in 1994, after South Africa’s first democratic election, which ended decades of apartheid rule. At the time, Mandela had become the country’s first Black president after spending 27 years in prison. 

Their friendship grew over the years, with Campbell joining Mandela at various events. She later became involved with initiatives connected to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. 

Read Also: Kagiso Rakosa Reflects on Fame, Work and Finding Her Place in the Industry

The supermodel said Mandela’s humility inspired many. She recalled that he made people feel valued. Campbell is involved in various humanitarian projects and lends her voice to social issues.

Photo: Instagram

In her birthday message, Campbell reflected on Mandela’s belief in unity and reconciliation. She celebrated his commitment to bringing South Africans together after apartheid. She wrote, 

“Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.”

The former president died on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95, but his message of peace and social responsibility was never lost. 

Campbell’s tribute shows the influence Mandela had on people asides politics. He was not just important but a personality whose kindness left a lasting mark on her life.

Rapper and reality television personality Tommie Lee was arrested during the 2026 FIFA World Cup after authorities said she allegedly entered Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, through an unauthorized entrance without a valid ticket.

The incident occurred on July 11, during the quarterfinal match between England and Norway, one of the tournament’s most anticipated knockout fixtures. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Lee, whose real name is Atasha Chizaah Jefferson, allegedly bypassed security measures and made her way into the stadium before being stopped by deputies in the 100-level seating section.

Authorities charged the rapper with interference with a sporting or entertainment event, a third-degree felony under Florida law. Investigators said she entered the venue without proper authorization, prompting law enforcement officers on site to take her into custody.

Photo: Instagram/@Tommielee

The arrest quickly drew attention on social media after news of the incident emerged. However, officials described it as an isolated security matter and said it did not disrupt the match or affect the overall safety of fans attending the game.

Lee was one of six people arrested during the England versus Norway fixture. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that 19 spectators were ejected from the stadium for separate incidents, while tournament operations continued without interruption.

Court records indicate that Lee was later released after posting a $1,000 bond. She has since pleaded not guilty to the charge. As with any criminal case, the allegations remain before the court, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Photo: Instagram/@Tommielee

Tommie Lee rose to prominence through her appearances on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta before launching a music career and later featuring on other reality television projects. Over the years, she has remained a regular subject of entertainment headlines, often attracting public attention.

The arrest comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to draw massive crowds across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Tournament organizers have maintained heightened security at all venues, with thousands of spectators passing through extensive screening procedures before every match.

As the case moves through the Florida court system, the incident has also highlighted the strict security measures in place at World Cup venues, where unauthorized entry is treated as a serious offence regardless of a person’s public profile.