Oprah defamation case goes to trial

A jury will decide whether TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey defamed the former headmistress of her girls' school in South Africa.

U.S. federal Judge Eduardo Robreno ruledMonday that Nomvuyo Mzamane has enough evidence to pursue her claim.

The case isset for trial in Philadelphia on March 29

Winfrey allegedly made remarks about Mzamane in 2007, following complaints of sexual abuse at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy near Johannesburg. A dorm matron who worked under Mzamane was charged with abusing six students.

In her October 2008 lawsuit, Mzamane accused Winfrey of suggesting she was not trustworthy.

Winfrey's lawyers argued that the remarks, made at an October 2007 meeting with parents and at a November 2007 news conference, reflectedtheir client'sopinions. But the judge ruled they were potentially defamatory as they ascribed "conduct which would render her [Mzamane] unfit for her profession as an educator."

Winfrey's lawyer, William Hangley, declined to comment on the decision and Mzamane's lawyer was not available for comment, The Associated Presssaid Tuesday.

Mzamane's contract was not renewed at Winfrey's school. She hassaid she has been unable to find work because of Winfrey's comments.

The school was opened in 2007 at a cost of about $40 million.

Winfrey pledged to build it after a meeting with former South African president Nelson Mandela in 2002. She personally interviewed many of the South African girls from low-income families who applied for the initial 150 places at the school.