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Oprah Winfrey Pops into South Africa to Celebrate and Inspire Young Women

During Oprah Winfrey’s whirlwind trip to South Africa, she received a standing ovation after inspiring a gathering of young South African women at an event hosted by the US Embassy on Friday.  The US Embassy described it as a “day to remember” for the youngsters who were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the global media leader […]

By SAPeople
04-12-16 01:12
in Fab South African Stuff

During Oprah Winfrey’s whirlwind trip to South Africa, she received a standing ovation after inspiring a gathering of young South African women at an event hosted by the US Embassy on Friday. 

Source: FB/US Embassy in SA
Source: FB/US Embassy in SA

The US Embassy described it as a “day to remember” for the youngsters who were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the global media leader and philanthropist.

Oprah is in the country to celebrate the sixth graduating class of her Leadership Academy for Girls, but on Friday she attended the US Embassy event where she spoke to participants of the DREAMS program, and alumni of U.S. exchange programs.

The event commemorated the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign, said the US Embassy. 

In a bit of a role reversal, rather than lead the interview, Ambassador Patrick Gaspard interviewed Oprah about her life experiences (including sexual abuse), influences, and how she has overcome challenges to achieve great success.

The Ambassador said Oprah “has been invested in women and in South Africa, and has been an incredible force in the world. There is so much love in this room and in this country for her. It is an honour to host her today.”

Oprah encouraged the audience to take control over their own futures and to “be the change they want to see” in their communities.

She said: “I love this country so much. From the very first time I visited and met Madiba, I said the way we need to change the world is to change the lives of young women. That is why I invested in Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.”

She encouraged the audience to remember that “excellence has a voice and if you do something better than everyone else, people will notice.”

She challenged them with the question: “what are you going to do in your life that will make a difference in someone else’s?”

Other Oprah Winfrey quotes on Friday included:

“People pay attention when you’re excited about things… people notice when you’re excellent.”

“Everybody needs a vision because life will raise up to meet you and your vision if you have one.”

“Listen and go with your gut about what feels right, who feels right. Listen to that whisper.” (She said the most powerful instrument is your own internal GPS system.)

“The world needs everyone to fulfil the supreme moment of destiny they were created for.”

“I am who I am because I have been obedient to the call of my life. Everyone has their own calling.”

“There is no ceiling. The only bar you have is of your own mind and that is the only thing to hold you back.”

“I don’t believe in luck. There is no luck without preparation…”

“Find a way to spiritually connect, you can never make it alone in the world.”

“The belief in God taught me to rely on something bigger than myself. I was lonely but I was never alone.”

DREAMS is a ($385-million) global partnership between the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Girl Effect, Johnson & Johnson, ViiV Healthcare, and Gilead.   It seeks to reduce new HIV infections in adolescent girls and young women in 10 sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa. In South Africa, DREAMS is being implemented in partnership with the South African government as a core component of the She Conquers campaign.

For those young women Oprah said: “Being validated, being heard, is one of the most important gifts you can give to anybody.”