13th January 2012
Since her world famous chat show came to an end, Oprah Winfrey has had time to place further focus on her humanitarian work.This week she has taken a trip to South Africa, to visit the school for girls she founded in 2007.
The 57-year-old met with the first graduating students of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls to celebrate their success.
Graduation day: Oprah Winfrey visited her South African school for girls
And Oprah has made no apologies for spending her millions on building the elite school, where she apparently teaches a class via satellite.
The TV star is determined to continue to change the course of history for females across South Africa.
Celebration: Oprah attended the school's first graduation ceremony
She said: 'We're taking a victory lap here, for transformation.
'Every single girl is going to leave here with something greater to offer the world than her body.'
Making a change: The $40million venture has been incredibly successful
Improvements: Oprah is constantly working on adapting the practices implemented at the school
When she founded the school, Oprah's aim was to 'just change one girl, affect one person's life.'
However she is continuously adapting the practices used at the academy in order to improve results.
Hands on: The girls at the school have affectionately dubbed their founder Mam Oprah
Oprah is '100%' Behind Obama
Oprah spoke at the graduation of her support for Barack Obama, but said the President does not need her help in achieving further success.
She said: 'I don't need to endorse him because I am a 100% supporter of him and I've already endorsed him.
'If he or his office called me tomorrow and said that they needed me I would do whatever I thought would be of service. I did what I did in 2008 because I really thought that would be of value and of service. I don't think that's needed in 2012. There's not a person in the world who doesn't know who Barack Obama is.'
And the chat show host added: 'I think he is a masterful leader.'
She said: 'I don't need to endorse him because I am a 100% supporter of him and I've already endorsed him.
'If he or his office called me tomorrow and said that they needed me I would do whatever I thought would be of service. I did what I did in 2008 because I really thought that would be of value and of service. I don't think that's needed in 2012. There's not a person in the world who doesn't know who Barack Obama is.'
And the chat show host added: 'I think he is a masterful leader.'
And despite her incredible success, Oprah says she is cut out for the job because she hasn't forgotten her roots.
She said: 'I know what it's like to be a poor girl with your heart's desire to do well in the world. I chose to use my philanthropy to do what I know.'
While the venture has proved rewarding and fruitful, it has not always been an easy ride for founder Oprah.
Shortly after the school was opened, a dormitory matron was accused of abusing teenagers.
The former chat show host, who has spoken out about being abused as a child, said she was 'profoundly' disappointed when the woman was acquitted in 2010.
Onwards and upwards: The girls are all heading to universities across South Africa and the United States
Busy bee: Oprah has more time to work on her humanitarian projects since the end of her chat show
Despite difficulties, Oprah's work for the school has been praised, particularly her efforts to encourage the students in humanitarian ways.
The charitable girls have lectured in their communities about AIDS and run breast cancer awareness campaigns in a bid to give back to those in need.
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