While it may sound ungrateful for people to complain about a $40 million complex being provided for the poor, complaints are surfacing about the many restrictions.

The cameras have left. Oprah has returned to Chicago. But, the natives are restless.

Oprah's Vision

When Oprah selected South Africa as the location for her Leadership Academy for girls, she did so because she not only wanted to provide an education for poor girls but she also wanted to change the way a culture feels about educating women. [Mail & Guardian online, mg.co.za, January 4, 2007] Presently, educating women is not a priority in South Africa. Only 26% of girls even enroll in high school. Girls do not receive an education for the following common reasons:

• Pregnancy
• Field work
• Financial reasons (boys are chosen over girls)
• AIDS (girls are expected to care for sick family members)

Criticism #1--Too Lavish

While many think the academy is over the top with

• 52 manicured acres
• state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories
• 600-seat theater
• beauty salon
• yoga studio
• decorated bedrooms
• 28 buildings

Oprah responds with, "Everyone is calling it lavish. I call it comfortable. Why would I build tin shacks for girls who come from tin shacks?" [Mail & Guardianonline, mg.co.za, Jan. 4, 2007]

Criticism #2--HIV Testing

Aids is an epidemic in South Africa. It is difficult to find a family that does not have someone affected by Aids. Winfrey stated, "Girls who are educated are less likely to get diseases like HIV and Aids and because Aids is a pandemic in this country, I believe that we have to begin to change the pandemic by education." The question for many is: What happens if the girls test positive for HIV? The testing is done with parental permission. [Independent Online, int.iol.co.za, January 2, 2007]

Criticism #3--No Police

Local police claim they are not welcome at the academy. John Samuel, CEO of the academy, states, "Yes, the police are required to patrol, but at public schools. We are not a regular private school. Ours is a unique school and we are working out what is in the girls' best interests." [Lumka Oliphant, The STAR, int.iol.co.za, March 27, 2007]

Criticism #4--Limited Contact with Family

The school rules are quite strict. Students may visit with parents once a month for two hours. Some parents compare the academy to a prison and not a girls' school. The girls are not to use cell phones or email during the school week, only on weekends. And, one girl was not allowed to attend a funeral of a relative because it was not "immediate family".

Criticism #5--No Junk Food

While this may sound very nutritious, junk food from parents on visits is also not allowed. Parents complain that the girls miss their favorite foods but are not allowed to accept them when parents visit. The parents claim that the ethnic foods are part of the girls culture.

Criticism #6--Why So Much on So Few?

Those working with the estimated 53 million orphans on the continent of Africa, wonder why so much money was spent on 152 girls. From the 5,500 that applied, only 4% were accepted. Yale and Harvard have higher acceptance rates than that.

More Assistance

Winfrey is planning to open another school soon for 1000 students in KwaZulu-Natal. It is a co-ed school and a more traditional setting. Winfrey continues to lead by example in making a difference in the world. She is in good company. A few months ago, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation announced donating $60 million to education in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. [Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, csmonitor.com, January 5, 2007]

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Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.