I understand the horror that Oprah must have felt on hearing the awful news. And I also understand that she was compelled to address the issue as best she could as soon as possible considering the seriousness of the allegations. What frustrates me is that because of her personality and status the media gives it plenty of column width, when hundreds and thousands of nameless, faceless South Africans are raped, murdered, assaulted and robbed, their lives and the lives of those around them changed forever and yet the international community does not get to see the true face of the current South African situation. Sad as it is, Oprah's school scandal is but a very small drop in a vast ocean of criminality that is breeding in an increasingly lawless society.

Clare, Brisbane (ex-Durbanite),

What a sad day for SA to have to witness the abuse of this nature in a program that had the makings of a great success story in uplifting our education being offered to our gilrs. I've worked with over 16 000 students from deprived and poverty striken schools and watched the poor results as a consequence. I've also watched those same learners been given an opportunity, the Oprah type with regular school and all resources and seen how students blossom and become A -students,given the opportunities. I applaud u Oprah and know that many of us would love to afford those opportunities to many students. Please strive to contact honest , trustworthy serious, educationists who have real interest in the learners.There are mature, trusted, christian people out there that can proudly assist you and honour your dreams & goals. Dont give up!!! SA lets help Oprah to deliver on her promises.

Kitty Scott, Waterkloof, Pretoria, South Africa

Why is she so shocked? Has she even looked at the poverty in her own country?

MPowis, London, England

I am totally on the same view with Jamie A whose comment I went through. Oprah is a great celebrity. A school or any institution like wise which is established for the poor is like a spritual organisation. Gurukuls in ancient India is the specimen of such institutions until today. Oprah is perhaps more anxious to do goodwork for her high profile rather than the reverse. A good work with a mixture of pure goodwill can never misfire as it did in the case of Oprah.

Satyanarayan Mohapatra, Cuttack, India/Orissa

For a woman who appears so wise on her own domestic American T.V., Oprah, is obviously not a 'worldly woman'. In a land like S.A., where survival is dependent on a strong, heirarchical extended family structure - and for this reason individualism discouraged - a school like Oprah's will obviously create much envy and rancour within the community IF that same community is not allowed to profit by it in some way. This does not mean that what those adults did to the children is excusable, no indeed, their abuse and betrayal of trust is deplorable and should and must be punished - but Oprah's comment that she is 'shaken to the core' is naive in the extreme. Time - as the Americans are so fond of saying - to 'wise up' and in this case that means to the 85% of populations outside the Global Market. I know Oprah thinks her tears are for 'her' abused girls but to me they seem to be (still) more about herself and are a luxury she can ill afford with the responsibilities she has taken on

Jean Booth, Voorburg, Netherlands

mike jones is right to highlight the issue of personal wealth often being blatantly squandered in the faces of those who suffer the worst deprivation, in this case however Oprah Winfrey has seen beyond the trappings of wealth and celebrity culture and sincerely wishes to help S A young women turn their lives around so that they in turn help their own communities escape the traps of dire educational/financial poverty. This will always be a rocky road and a seemingly thankless task, her detractors will gloat and bray over any problems along the route but ultimately I think she knows what she must do and will do it . The nilhilists must not be allowed to shout loudest.Optimism is a gift that can light the darkest of days and the longest of nights so let this woman sort out her house and lets hope more Oprahs come forward with similar ideas as to how their own wealth and time might be spent.

C Hamer, birmingham, uk

I agree with BJ Deller. This was a case of poor planning and under-research. But this was never so much about giving 'the poorest and brightest girls in South Africa a clearer shot at life' as it was a profile-boosting ego project for Oprah Winfrey. That is why an abusive nut ended up running the school. For Oprah Incorporated the important element was simply the public gesture of 'doing good' in the world, no attention was paid to the substance of the matter. But then that's what America does best in the developing world - imposing its crass, naive ideals without taking any stock of social reality. Look at Iraq.

Jamie A, Ireland,

Boy! How sad is this. Of course it is the white racist Afrikaners' fault for oppressing the natives all this time. What ? they've been out of power for the last 17 years? What ? They themselves are now the victims of a calculated and vicious, if somewhat inept, form of ethnic cleansing. Oprah you're a dear lady but Africa is not for sissies. Stop crying, pick yourself up, and take your charity where it will do some good - someplace it will help lever the butchers, beasts and buffoons out of power.

David Viljoen, Parys, RSA

To Peter, Orlando.
I was interested to read your comment, Peter. I didn't really understand it because a) the school is in South Africa and b) Oprah Winfrey seems to have taken the complaints on board. Unless, of course, the entire story is a fabrication but is that likely?

I accept what you say about Springer-culture, etc, but surely this is a different matter and has nothing to do with UK, USA or SA. There are, and have always been, boarding schools in England where abuse of the dhildren by staff takes place. This is nothing new. The only difference is that, in the past, children were afraid to complain and if they did, no-one was willing to believe them. So I am glad that any complaints by children are being taken seriously regarding this school.
However, the main complaint seems to centre on one member of staff only so I would agree that the article probably gives the impression the entire school is in disarray, which is not the case. Oprah is putting things right..

Lynda, London, UK

This is a situation that happens all the time all around the world. It is really heart breaking when good people are trying to do good things and you have those that want to destroy. All those girls in that school are so bright and so beautiful. I have no solution for this but I fear mostly when these girls goback to their homes and come accross those that are jealous they will want to harm them. People of South Africa we need to do better. We need to stop the hate and the violence. It is not impossible to leave in a peacfull town. This is whats killing our nation, the lack of understaing and preparing the future. The young girls when they grow up they will know what struggle is and when they become doctors and presidents they will inturn come back to their hometown and build better schools, give better education and provide affordable healthcare. Lets give each other a chance

Nide Zimemo, Los Angeles,

i think thats alot of drama but i lso think that oprah will fix everything that happened. she just wont let them suffer and she di the best she could.

kami, roanoke , va

Oh please not you England, you take the worst of American culture and import it into your own. Why do you insist on the repetition of ridiculos American Jerry Springer white trash, false accustion, puritanical accusations? Because you England, are the origin of the white trash culture! Matriarcial billionaires telling their poor servants, of their worst unconscious fears. I thought England really had more intelligence than that I really did. Is is because your Empire is no more? Is it because you seeth on American stupidity? I am at a loss to explain your unbelievable riduculus journalism.

Peter , Orlando,

Unfortunately OUR children are not safe anywhere in this world. It does not matter how much we spend on sercurity etc.
I do not know what the answer is, but I would start with transferring people into S. Africa from the US to work. People go overseas all the time for good jobs. Make it worth their time and efforts...
You can at least trust the background checks run on these people here in the states before sending them to your school in Africa.
This option is not 100% perfect but it's a start, and as we know, "any journey begins with the first step."

WDingler, Dallas, TX

i think people who abuse children they must be arrested without any pitty to them they should be lockedup.woman girls get abused each and everyday but people they just keep quiet about this.let us stand up fight againts woman and child abuse more especially in south africa.

connie, Pretoria, south africa

I think Oprah have done a great job for the girls regardless the country. You rearly find such people who would dedicate so much money and time on people they do not know especially building a school and devoting so much into their education and wellbeing. I heard her speech on SKY and was impressed. The accused will required phychological help of some kind. With regards security, its best to use non locals for safety reasons. Locals especially the police could pass information to unauthorized persons. I really do not trust policemen especially those in Africa. They are so corrupt and feel they are not accountably to anyone. Oprah, keep up the good work, you are doing just fine.

Ahano, Potters Bar, United Kingdom

This is a dreadful,(but all too common) thing that has gone on but it is good to see a black American actually doing something for her native people.
How many black American rappers do a similar thing? None that I know of, they'd rather spend £50,000.00 on a set of grills for a dog!! How sad can these people be to sing about their oppression and then when they get the chance to make a difference blow all their money on material things for themselves. Who really needs 8 cars. Insecure or what!!

Mike Jones, Farnborough, Hampshire

Dear Ms. Winfrey,

God bless You for the work that You are doing in South Africa,
I take my hat off to You for not forgetting the little or the poor,
stop crying ,You did'nt know what was going on, but now that You do, trust in yourself to do what is right and by all means You are doing it...Christ had to clean house , and now so do you and i mean clean it, good!! Do not leave NO stone unturned...kick all of them out of Your safe place You had builted for Our stars, Our future.....Our CHILDREN...
I to have a star, she was 3yrs. old when I went to get her from a bad situation, now she is 15yrs. old and a A,B, student her GPA is an 4.0 ....Only God would have known where she would be if I as her great aunt would have turned my back on my angel where she would be to this day....So my dear sister from B'more & D.C keep Your Head Up and do not let Anyone bring You down...
Love & Respect
Always for Life,

Angela Branch, Yonkers,, N.Y

For God's sake, it is Africa where I lived for 25 years. What did she expect? She should have done some serious research and listened to those who would otherwise be called racist by the people she obviously must have listened to. South Africa is a country where when government ministers speak the truth against President Mbeki they are removed, no trial, just sacked. And where the Chief Commissioner for all SA is under serious suspicion with charges and warrants issued by the legal forces (the Scorpions) for corruption and associating with convicted and know criminals. He is also the President of Interpol. But he is being protected again by the President. The minister of health is a convicted thief and an alcoholic who has just jumped the queue and had a liver transplant, and reported to have wished down the medication with alcohol. She also says that beetroot and garlic cures HIV/AIDS.

SA is also Zimbabwe in 10 - 15 year's time. It does not take a genius to see that coming.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

The local police resented private firms assuring the school's security??? Can you imagine how much worse this could be had the locals been in charge?

susan, montreal, canada

I understand it is not my money but it seems to be nice if she could have done this in the U.S. I am sure there are a bunch of needy children here.

Lisa McCauley, Lawrenceville, GA