It's just one of those years for Oprah Winfrey.

First an unhappy audience member complains about a stampede prior to the Oprah Winfrey show and wants to sue for damages.

Then Oprah's beloved dog passes away 13 happy doggy-years with the talk show host. That's gotta be hard; it always takes so much out of you when your pets die.

And now, there is new controversy about the Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Apparently a 13 year old girl was expelled after she had a mental breakdown.

Story goes that the child started showing erratic behavior after joining the academy; cutting herself and being disruptive. It could very well be that the stress got to her. It can't be easy for scholarship or bursary students to start a new life with such high expectations, a kinda of you better pass with flying colors or your life is over sort of feeling. Of course no one would actually say this, it's somewhat of a self-inflicted pressure, I suppose.

When she was sent to Tara hospital, they found out she might be epileptic and seems like she started to receive therapy there.

Well, according to IOL, it turns out that there's more studying at the posh school for her.

Staff from the academy visited her in hospital last week and told her that she could not go back to the school.

The reasons for her expulsion are unclear.

The girl is understood to be from a disadvantaged background and it is unclear whether she will be able to continue with therapy once she returns home.

This is quite sad. She got a golden opportunity and now it's taken away. That would add to her inner conflicts, wouldn't it?

You also feel bad for Oprah; as much as she keeps an eye on the school and it's maintenance, perhaps she is not fully aware of the greater social issues that seep into the school grounds and unfold inside the school itself? Just a thought.