Winfrey Begs Forgiveness for Abuse at School

A tearful Oprah Winfrey has begged forgiveness from parents of girls at her school in South Africa, following allegations of sexual and physical abuse.

In an emergency meeting in Henley-on-Klip, south of Johannesburg, Winfrey was visibly distraught at reports that students had been abused by a school matron. "I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," she was quoted as telling the families by the South African news site News24.com.

Winfrey, who founded a media empire on her popular chat show, opened the $40m (£19.4m) school in January, saying it had been a cherished dream for years. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy is built on an expansive campus and lavishly equipped, and is intended to allow children from poor families to realize their academic potential.

According to press reports, a matron had grabbed one student by the throat and thrown her against a wall. Other students have said they were sworn at and assaulted. The allegations surfaced when one girl ran away from the school. They were said to be especially painful for Winfrey, who has been open about having suffered abuse as a child herself.

In recent weeks, she visited the school twice, distributed her personal phone number and email address to students, and promised parents to do all in her power to punish the abusers.

She had previously suspended the headteacher. "I trusted her. When I appointed her, I thought she was passionate about the children of Africa," Winfrey told reporters last week. "But I've been disappointed."

The staff are now under investigation by the authorities.

The school for 152 girls from poor families was opened to much fanfare, with Winfrey declaring it "the proudest, gravest day of my life", Stars including the singers Tina Turner, Mariah Carey and Mary J Blige, the film-maker Spike Lee, and the actor Sydney Poitier attended the opening ceremony. Nelson Mandela made a speech.