The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) celebrated their 9th graduation event as the 2019 matric class took to the stage on Wednesday, 04 December 2019, as Founder of the Academy Ms. Oprah Winfrey and special guest and commencement speaker, Ms. Nomzamo Mbatha, congratulated and encouraged the students and their families.
Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s emphasis on education, OWLAG provides a world-class educational platform for marginalised girls that nurture a new generation of dynamic leaders. Following Ms. Winfrey’s pledge to former president Nelson Mandela in 2002, OWLAG has since welcomed talented, underprivileged girls to a new lifestyle; a world filled with knowledge, social skills and possibilities.
During the annual event, Ms Winfrey reflected on the school’s achievements: “I continue to be amazed and pleased by the progress of this school; we are well on our way to being one of the best schools in the world, not just in terms of education but holistically – education, wellness and wellbeing.”
During the ceremony, the Academy’s top achievers were recognised for their academic and leadership capabilities. The award for Top Academic Achiever of 2019 was presented to Liya Valley, while Kimmy Sithole received the Executive Director’s Award for excellence across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). To close off the proceedings, Eve Mashamba was awarded The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Award, as a student that epitomises leadership, caring, generosity of spirit and service work.
Mamello Mbele, 2019 Class Representative, looked to the future as she addressed her class, affectionately know as O’ Caladrius: “Life is short, even on our longest days, so there is no time to not do your best; live every day as if tomorrow is your last and remember that you have no limits – you cannot be contained, because you are the container.”
This was mirrored by actress, television personality, businesswoman and human rights activist Ms. Mbatha: “You have been afforded the opportunity to be in a space that says you belong, in a space that says you are worthy to be here. But don’t be complacent; go out into the world and chase your biggest, wildest, deepest and most unimaginable dreams, and be stubborn and resilient with those dreams – run your own race, pace yourself, but chase them. And know that with many no’s that might come your way, there will be big yes’s.”
As the 2019 graduates leave OWLAG to pursue their passions, they do so secure in the knowledge that the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation (OWLAF) will be there to guide them through their tertiary education and assist them as they prepare for their chosen vocations. Ms. Winfrey’s goal has always been for each girl who attends OWLAG to also have the opportunity to attend and graduate from college. 2019 saw 56 young ladies graduate from the Academy with Matriculation Endorsement. To date over 400 OWLAG graduates have attended prestigious colleges and universities around the world, with over 350 OWLAG Alumnae having registered at South African universities since 2011.
