Oprah Winfrey Faces Storm Over Controversial South African School Over DNC Appearance

Oprah Winfrey was a special guest on the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which took place on August 21 in her hometown of Chicago. Her speech was met with mixed reactions.

The former talk show host took the stage on the United Center before a raucous Democratic crowd to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Winfrey delivered a 15-minute speech that included shots at Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance.

Oprah Winfrey mocked the Ohio senator’s controversial comments about “childless cat women” during her appearance. In 2021, JD Vance slammed Kamala Harris and other Democratic politicians for not having biological children.

“Contrary to what some people would have you believe, we are not all that different from our neighbors. When a house is burning down, we don’t ask about the race or religion of the homeowner, we don’t wonder who their partner is or how they voted. No, we just try to do everything we can to save it,” Winfrey said on the DNC.

The 70-year-old billionaire continued: “And if that place belongs to a childless cat lady, well, we’re trying to get rid of that cat too.” The blatant reference to JD Vance was met with applause from the live audience but was met with criticism online.

Daily Mail Instagram Account posted a clip of Oprah Winfrey’s speech. The post focused on a camera panning to an unknown viewer as Winfrey delivered her “childless cat lady” line.

Clearly, right-wing critics took the chance to criticize the Tennessee State University graduate within the comments section. For example, one person on Instagram accused her of selling out for fame and fortune.

“Where are the kids, Oprah??? You sold your soul (devil emoji),” one person wrote. A Winfrey supporter replied, “And you built wealth, but you sold (yours) and got nothing in return.”

Several commenters referred to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The boarding school was embroiled in allegations of physical and sexual abuse within the late 2000s.

“Oprah, is abuse still going on at Oprah’s girls’ school in Africa?” the critic asked. Another non-fan of the so-called “Queen of All Media” wondered: “Where are the girls from your school in South Africa?”

On June 17, Oprah Winfrey celebrated the graduation of one among her Leadership Academy “daughters” with a doctorate of drugs from Stanford University. The Color Purple star attended Bongeka Zuma’s graduation within the United States.

“One of the greatest joys of my life was seeing her walk across the stage! Knowing where she came from, from a small community in KwaZulu-Natal, and how strongly she believed in becoming a doctor,” Winfrey said in an Instagram caption.

The Oscar-nominated “The Color Purple” actress continued, “She never gave up, and with a support team of good friends, OWLAG sisters, and professors, we all celebrated her achievement with great pride. Congratulations, Dr. Zuma. Well done! Well done!”

Although Bongeka Zuma could also be seen because the success story of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, the sexual abuse scandal stays a subject of conversation. Although the previous dorm nurse Tiny Makopo was acquitted Out of all 14 allegations related to harassment accusations, many social media users consistently bring up the subject.

Winfrey also faced widespread criticism for her DNC appearance. One Daily Mail fan admitted, “I used to love Oprah, but she’s not the same anymore.” Another commented, “Oprah… so redundant. Try to stay relevant.”

Contrary to comments made in responses to the conservative tabloid’s Instagram post, Winfrey also received praise for her presentation on the convention. User X shouted“A stunning speech from a global icon! Oprah’s extraordinary impact on Chicago is one of the most important in the city’s history.”

Republican Party Pollster Frank Lutz wrote on Twitter“I was wrong – I thought Michelle Obama’s speech would be the most resonant speech at this convention. Instead, it was (Oprah). She really touched a nerve in values.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama and her husband, former President Barack Obama, addressed Trump’s “dark jobs” remarks before a Democratic rally in Chicago on Aug. 20. The following evening, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivered a speech accepting the vice presidential nomination.

Vice President Kamala Harris will close the DNC with a proper acceptance speech on the evening of Aug. 22. The recent Democratic Party leader will face former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump within the 2024 general election on Nov. 5.

In addition to Winfrey, other celebrities who attended the televised 2024 Democratic National Convention included Steve Kerr, Lil Jon, Spike Lee, Patti LaBelle, Mindy Kaling, Kenan Thompson, Eva Longoria, Common, John Legend and Stevie Wonder.