June 20th 2024.
Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential figures in media, recently attended a momentous event at Stanford University. The occasion marked the graduation of Bongeka Zuma, a remarkable young woman and alumna of Winfrey's Leadership Academy in South Africa. Winfrey took to Instagram to share her excitement, posting a heartfelt slideshow of photos and videos with Zuma, who had just received her Doctor of Medicine degree. The "Selma" actress expressed her joy, writing, "One of the great joys of my life was to see her walk across that stage!" Winfrey also reflected on Zuma's determination, noting, "Knowing where she's come from...and how strongly she believed in becoming a doctor...She never gave up."
Zuma's journey began in KwaZulu-Natal, a province in South Africa, before she became part of the first class at Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007. The tuition-free boarding school, located in Henley-on-Klip, boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a robust support network for its students, including educators, psychologists, and social workers. Winfrey's official website describes the school as a 52-acre campus with a high-tech computer lab, wellness center, and library filled with thousands of books.
Before her graduation from Stanford, Zuma had already achieved academic success, graduating summa cum laude from Spelman College and earning a master's degree from Oxford University. Winfrey, who has attended 22 graduations for her "daughter-girls" from the Leadership Academy, expressed that this one was particularly special. She wrote, "This one was extra special."
In a 2012 episode of "Oprah's Great Expectations," Zuma discussed the pressure to excel at the Leadership Academy. She shared, "I guess when you bring girls...from all over South Africa...you bring girls who have been number one at their schools...competing to want to be great." Winfrey also addressed the first class of future graduates in a video posted on OWN's YouTube channel, challenging them to reach their highest potential as human beings and "nothing small."
The graduation ceremony at Stanford was a joyous affair for Dr. Zuma, as she was surrounded by friends, fellow OWLAG sisters, and professors. Winfrey concluded her Instagram tribute by congratulating the new graduate with all her heart. This celebration was especially meaningful for Winfrey, who had previously shared with her followers that she was feeling under the weather due to a "serious" stomach flu, as revealed by her friend Gayle King. Despite her illness, Winfrey made sure to be present for this special occasion.
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