Why did Oprah Winfrey open a school for poor girls in South Africa?

It begins as a promise Oprah Winfrey made to former South African President Nelson Mandela 7 years ago: A pledge to build a school that will give poor girls a first-class education. Many of Hollywood stars were on hand for this week’s opening ceremony, including singer Mariah Carey, film maker Spike Lee and singer Tina Turner. But the true stars were the 152 poor girls chosen to be the first class students. Winfrey hopes this school will change the way women are perceived in South Africa and that the young girls educated here will go on to be their country’s future leaders.