Media mogul, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey recently took to Facebook to express her pride for one of her students who graduated with her medical degree from Stanford University in California.
Dr Bongeka Zuma, who is from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), studied at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, based in Meyerton, Gauteng.
Ms Winfrey was overjoyed at Dr Zuma’s achievement and took to Facebook to express her joy with her becoming a doctor.
“I’ve been to 22 graduations for all my daughter-girls who came from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) in South Africa, to colleges and universities across the United States. This one was extra special. Daughter-girl Bongeka first graduated summa cum laude at Spelman College, then she got her master’s degree at Oxford University, and received her hard-earned Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University,” said Ms Winfrey.
This, she said was one of the great joys of her life. She added that she wanted to see Dr Zuma walk across that stage, knowing where she comes from, a small community in KwaZulu-Natal, and how strongly she believed in becoming a doctor.
“She never gave up, and with a support team of good friends, fellow OWLAG sisters and professors, we all celebrated her achievement with great pride. Congratulations, Dr Zuma. Well done! Well done!” said Ms Winfrey.
OWLAG was established by Ms Winfrey in 2002 and officially opened in 2007. Its first class graduated in 2012. It is a private school for girls and educates children from Grade 8 to 12. They currently have 380 pupils at the school.
Ms Winfrey said she founded the school in hope of helping disadvantaged children who showed great promise. She wanted to help girls who grew up like her, “economically disadvantaged but not poor in mind or spirit”.
“I know for sure that this school will change the trajectory of their lives. They will excel and pass their excellence on to their families, their nation, and our world. The school’s fundamental value is to encourage each girl to develop her critical thinking to create the best life possible for her, and then use her life in service to others, no matter her calling, ” said Ms Winfrey.
