Stars at Oprah's SA bash

Oprah Winfrey is going to paint South Africa red this New Year - starting with a star-studded bash at Sun City.

But a veil of secrecy has been drawn over the whole New Year party - to such an extent that Winfrey's head of communications, Lisa Halliday, would not even confirm that a party was taking place.

Several sources, speaking at the risk of losing their jobs, have disclosed that the guest list includes movie stars Julia Roberts, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, pop divas Mary J Blige and Beyonce Knowles, movie director Spike Lee and former president Nelson Mandela.

Even Sun International would not say anything about the party, with spokespersons claiming to know nothing about it.

Aceshowbiz has reported that the queen of talk has instructed her friends to pay for their flights, while she "will take care of everything else".

It is believed that local stars Jamali and the Soweto Gospel Choir will be part of the musical entertainment at the party. The celebration will serve as a precursor to the official launch of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls at Henley-on-Klip on January 2.