Oprah Apologizes To Families At African School.
Posted by Media Outrage on October 29th, 2007
In January, talk-show legend Oprah Winfrey opened up her all-girl leadership academy on tearjerker TV specials, with declarations of finding Africa’s next leader. But over the last few weeks, Oprah has been making more painful trips to Africa, amid allegations of physical and sexual abuse, the Daily Mail reports.
An internal investigation is ongoing concerning a student who reported to having been grabbed by the throat and thrown against the wall by a schoolworker.
The suspected abuser has been removed from the $30.4 million Johannesburg boarding school, where 152 African girls reside.
“I’ve disappointed you. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” Oprah said to the devastated families of the girls in an emergency meeting at the campus, according to the New York Daily News.
Reports poured in from students of sexual abuse, and alleged that school matrons had screamed and sweared at them.
In a statement, the chief executive of the academy, John Samuel, said that the South African police family violence, child protection and sexual offenses unit had been notified of the allegations.
“The inquiry is being conducted in a manner that supports the safe and nurturing environment of the academy, with minimal disruption to campus life. In addition, the academy is providing psychological support and counseling services to our learners.”
December 13th, 2007 at 1:38 am
[...] asked by People whether the criticism about the abuse scandal that took place at her all girl school in South Africa last month stung, she [...]