Oprah Winfrey Nomvuyo Mzamane
Nomvuyo Mzamane, former headmistress of Oprah Winfrey's South African Leadership Academy, has filed a lawsuit against Winfrey for defamation. Mzamane reportedly claims that Winfrey portrayed her to the media as being "untrustworthy" and also accused her of participating in a cover-up of alleged physical and sexual abuse taking place at the academy.1
Fast Facts
- Mzamane started working at Winfrey's academy on December 31, 20061
- Suit was filed on October 3, 2008, in the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court1
- Academy staff member, Tiny Makopo, was accused of physically and sexually abusing students in October 20071
- Mzamane was accused of knowing about the abuse and participating in covering it up2
- Mzamane stated that she knew nothing about the abuse1
- Mzamane was terminated1
- Mzamane claims that no one will hire her since her termination1
- She is said to suffer from "depression, anxiety and insomnia"1
- Mzamane is seeking $250,000 plus damages1
Quotes
"We were forced to file this lawsuit because we didn't get what we wanted a year ago, a public apology."—Tim McGowan, Mzamane's attorney1
"Before the suit was filed, all [Mzamane] wanted was Oprah to say 'I made a mistake. This lady didn't cover up any abuse.' [Oprah] went on TV and ruined her reputation. So she wanted her to go back on TV and restore her reputation."—McGowan1
Related Pages on Mahalo
Oprah Winfrey | Nomvuyo Mzamane | Oprah School Abuse | Oprah Sued for Big Give | Oprah Boycott | The Oprah Winfrey Show | Oprah's Big Give | O, The Oprah Magazine | Oprah's Book Club | Oprah 30 Rock
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