Oprah Winfrey is celebrating an “extra special” graduation.
Among the hundreds of students honoured during Stanford University’s commencement ceremony was Bongeka Zuma.
An alumna of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa.
Bongeka graduated from Stanford as a Doctor of Medicine.
The next day, Oprah took to Instagram to pay tribute to her incredible success. “One of the great joys of my life was to see her walk across that stage!”
Oprah wrote, sharing videos and photos from the special occasion.
“Knowing where she’s come from, a small community in KwaZulu-Natal, and how strongly she believed in becoming a doctor.”
Moreover, Oprah’s pride was palpable as she reflected on her journey with Bongeka and many other young women from her academy.
Oprah Winfrey school history
Further, she said “I’ve been to 22 graduations for all my daughter-girls who came from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa to colleges and universities across the United States.
This one was extra special,” she shared.
Nonetheless, Bongeka’s academic journey is truly inspiring. She graduated summa cum laude from Spelman College in Georgia,
Earned a master’s degree at Oxford University in England, and now, has earned her Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University.
“She never gave up,” Oprah noted, “and with a support team of good friends, fellow OWLAG sisters, and professors, we all celebrated her achievement with great pride. Congratulations, Dr. Zuma. Well done! Well done!”
Oprah’s South African school
Bongeka was part of the first graduating class of Oprah’s boarding school, which opened in 2007.
Just 152 of over 3,000 applicants were accepted at the time.
“They’re the daughters I did not have,” Oprah explained. “I never thought that mothering instinct was something for me. I like babies, but I like them like, ‘Hi baby, okay, now go over there.’ I like children when they can speak to me and tell me what the problem is.
Oprah Winfrey’s heartfelt celebration of Bongeka Zuma’s graduation encapsulates the love, dedication, and unwavering support she has for her “daughter-girls.”
