A PORT Elizabeth schoolgirl is over the moon after being selected for admission to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Gauteng.

Kelly-Anne Rossouw, 12, of Gelvandale, a Grade 6 pupil at Alpha Primary School, has been accepted by the academy as a Grade 7 pupil in January.

Her mother, Mercia, said she was excited when she heard the news of her daughter’s selection.

“I’ve always wanted to give her the best education, but we couldn’t afford to send her to top schools in the city. This is her chance to fulfil her dream.”

AUDIO: Interview with Kelly-Anne Rossouw

She said that it was sad to know that Kelly-Anne would be leaving home next year, but she was following her dream and they obviously could not stop her from achieving it.

Rossouw said Kelly-Anne’s departure would leave a gap in her family as she was the only girl among three boys, Persevall , 21, Diego, 18, and baby Rumelio, who is a year old.

“She’s disciplined and I know she will do us proud and achieve a lot there.”

Kelly-Anne’s father, Daniel, said he was grateful for the opportunity that had been provided to his daughter.

“We are thrilled as a family to learn of her selection for admission.

“I know she’ll work very hard and eventually give something back to others in the community.”

At first, he said, he had not wanted to sign her acceptance forms because it was hard for him to let her be away from the family for so long.

“But I changed my mind because it’s her future and an opportunity of a lifetime. To be honest, I still don’t want her to go because I’ll miss her a lot.”

Even though he was the only one working in the family, he said, he would try to provide her with anything she needed while she was away.

“I wish her all the success she can get in life. When she succeeds, she must never forget where she comes from.”

Kelly-Anne said she was looking forward to meeting Winfrey, a US television talk show host, and to making new friends at the academy next year.

“I understand that I come from a poor family, but my parents taught me respect and discipline,” she said.

“That is why I promise them that I won’t cause them any problems while I’m at boarding school.”

She said that after completing Grade 12 at the academy, she wanted to be a doctor so that she could help her community by opening a surgery. She said she would miss the jokes she shared with her family. She was always happy when she was around them.

“In September, I attended an entry interview at the academy. Children from across the country admitted for next year’s tuition were present.”

Alpha Primary School deputy principal Rachel Vereen described Kelly-Anne as a hard-working pupil who always tried to do her best in her projects as well as academically.

Acting academy head Joy Moore said that of the thousands of applications for admission received this year, only 50 Grade 7 girls would be offered a place at the school next year.