Another Scandal Hits Oprah’s School in SA

As many of you remember, the boarding school that Oprah established in South Africa was hit by a scandal less than a year after it opened. Fifteen students accused a matron for abusing them sexually. The case is still going on. Just recently, news of sexual abuse, among students this time, broke out.
Seven students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School for Girls near Johannesburg were suspended last week for sexually harassing their schoolmates.
One 15-year-old “preyed” another student and urged her victims to lie to investigators about what happened, the paper reports.
Other girls were alleged to have been “intimidating others into partaking of inappropriate behaviors” at the $46 million school, according to the report.
A letter sent to one of the suspended girls’ parents reportedly read: “You have been found guilty of physical contact of a sexual nature with another pupil on campus, harassment, bullying other girls on campus and of being dishonest by not telling investigators the whole truth.” [Source]
Oprah, who said that she was truly devastated when the first scandal broke out, released the following statement regarding the latest incident:
“I’m disappointed that several of our students chose to disregard the school’s rules. It’s disheartening when any student has to be suspended or expelled and it’s a process that involves serious review and consideration. We insist on maintaining a campus environment that commands mutual respect, fosters academic excellence and encourages learners to fulfill their best potential. Indiscretions resulting in disciplinary action are common in schools all over the world. Unfortunately, because of my name these common infractions place the Academy in the media spotlight.”
Now this is truly heartbreaking. But what’s even more heartbreaking is how some people are using this incident to discriminate against Africans. This could happen in any continent in the world, involving any race. It just so happens that this particular story flew to the headlines simply because it involves Oprah. We should not be judgmental in times like these. We should all work together to helping girls (or any person for that matter) who are victims of abuse.
Photo Credit: Fame Pictures