Oprah settles defamation lawsuit

Philadelphia, USA 24 March-(ANA)-Oprah Winfrey has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by the former headmistress of a South Africa girls' school set up by the US TV star.

Nomvuho Mzamane had claimed Winfrey defamed her in remarks in 2007, in the wake of a scandal over alleged sex abuse at the school.

Ms Mzamane said she later had trouble finding a job.

On Tuesday, lawyers for both parties said they had met "woman to woman" and resolved their differences.

In a statement they said the two parties "are happy that they could resolve this dispute peacefully to their mutual satisfaction," without disclosing details of the settlement, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Winfrey had been expected to testify next week at a trial in Philadelphia.

The school was opened in Johannesburg in 2007 at a cost of $40m (£26.3m).(ANA)

FA/ANA/24 March 2010--------