By LEAH SIMPSON
Oprah Winfrey cried today when she announced the inaugural Class of 2011 at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
The US talk show queen and media mogul gave a touching speech at the institute in Henley-on-Klip South Africa on Saturday.
Wearing a beautiful emerald dress and a matching rope-style waist tie, the philanthropist looked stunning.
Proud mother: Oprah Winfrey joins her 'daughters' at their graduation ceremony in South African on Saturday
She complemented the design by wearing striking eyeshadow and teased her hair into soft waves along with a pair of avocado coloured drop earrings.
The star smiled as she arrived to meet with the first graduates of the school, established five years ago to turn a a group of impoverished girls into elite leaders – but the service proved emotional.
Oprah, 57, described herself as a proud mother during the momentous occasion which involved classes of singing and dancing young ladies celebrating their success dressed in demure white frocks.
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She said: ‘I have never been more proud to know, to grow, and to call myself Mam Oprah to you girls.’
Listing the blows they have experienced: 'Divorce. Violence. Molestation. The loss of one parent. The loss of another parent. Sorrow. Sadness. Grief,' Winfrey also praised the teachers, administrators, social workers, psychologists and family members she said had ensured the students succeeded by starting early and staying late.
Fighting back tears through the applause, one of her 72 students graduating out of 75 who started, took to the podium to speak which prompted more reaction from the star who has been dubbed the richest African American of the 20th Century.
Founded in 2007 with $40 million from Oprah, the school has faced criticism for focusing on a select few in a country that struggles to meet basic education needs.
Mashadi Kekana said: ‘Mam Oprah, thank you for showing us that we’re not just girls, but girls with greater purpose in this world.’
Sigfrd Peter
