The Leadership Academy Opens
![Girls at the Leadership Academy in South Africa Girls at the Leadership Academy in South Africa](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_101_350x263.jpg)
It's the day of the grand opening.
![Oprah and her best friend, Gayle King Oprah and her best friend, Gayle King](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_102_350x263.jpg)
Oprah invites some of her dearest friends, dignitaries and celebrities to help her celebrate.
![Oprah greets Sidney Poitier. Oprah greets Sidney Poitier.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_103_350x263.jpg)
People who've inspired her, like Sidney Poitier.
![Oprah and Quincy Jones share a laugh at Opening Day. Oprah and Quincy Jones share a laugh at Opening Day.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_104_350x263.jpg)
People who've inspired her, like Quincy Jones.
![Oprah and Nelson Mandela on stage in South Africa Oprah and Nelson Mandela on stage in South Africa](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_105_350x263.jpg)
Oprah's greatest living hero, former South African President Nelson Mandela, joins her at Opening Day.
![Chris Rock's daughters, Lola and Zahra Chris Rock's daughters, Lola and Zahra](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_106_350x263.jpg)
Oprah asks everyone to bring their favorite books that have inspired them to donate to the library. Malaak and Chris Rock's daughters, Lola and Zahra, too!
![Sade gives Spike Lee a tour of the campus in South Africa. Sade gives Spike Lee a tour of the campus in South Africa.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_107_350x263.jpg)
Then the girls give tours of their new campus. "One of these young ladies said she was going to be president of South Africa, and I believe her," Spike Lee says.
![Tina Turner at the Leadership Academy in South Africa Tina Turner at the Leadership Academy in South Africa](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_108_350x263.jpg)
Tina Turner says, "I could really see that this could easily be the future of Africa here."
![Thando leads a tour group. Thando leads a tour group.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_109_350x263.jpg)
Thando, who dreams of being an actress, impresses Sidney Poitier. "This little child, she mesmerized me. She was poised, articulate... It was really remarkable!"
![Chris Tucker hugs new students. Chris Tucker hugs new students.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_110_350x263.jpg)
The girls are excited to mingle with dignitaries and public figures. Here they pose for a picture with Chris Tucker.
![The girls sing with India.Arie. The girls sing with India.Arie.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_111_350x263.jpg)
The girls sing with India.Arie.
![Diane Sawyer and Leadership Academy students Diane Sawyer and Leadership Academy students](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_112_350x263.jpg)
The girls teach Diane Sawyer how to introduce herself in their language.
![Chris Rock dances for the students. Chris Rock dances for the students.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_113_350x263.jpg)
They make Chris Rock dance for them!
![Mariah Carey at Oprah's Leadership Academy in South Africa Mariah Carey at Oprah's Leadership Academy in South Africa](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_114_350x263.jpg)
There are plenty of hugs to go around from Mariah Carey.
![Mary J. Blige at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Mary J. Blige at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_115_350x263.jpg)
Mary J. Blige hugs a student at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
![Nelson Mandela and Oprah Nelson Mandela and Oprah](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_116_350x263.jpg)
Oprah and Nelson Mandela address the daughters of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and their special audience.
"To stand on the same stage with Nelson Mandela, a man who survived 27 years in prison and came out with no bitterness to lead a new and free South Africa...it was a pinnacle life moment for me," says Oprah.
"To stand on the same stage with Nelson Mandela, a man who survived 27 years in prison and came out with no bitterness to lead a new and free South Africa...it was a pinnacle life moment for me," says Oprah.
![A girl makes a speech. A girl makes a speech.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_117_350x263.jpg)
If standing on stage with Nelson Mandela was a momentous occasion for Oprah, can you imagine what it was like for these girls?
![Former South Africa president Nelson Mandela Former South Africa president Nelson Mandela](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_118_350x263.jpg)
Nelson Mandela addresses the audience, "We hope that the school will become the dream of every young South African girl!"
![Dancers at Oprah's new school Dancers at Oprah's new school](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/presents/2007/academy/opening_119_350x263.jpg)
For Oprah, this is a lifetime commitment: "The spirit of myself, the very essence of who I am, will always be with those girls because my goal is to provide opportunities for girls to continue to shine into the future, not just now, but 100 years from now."
Published 01/01/2006