Madonna’s joy with ‘amazing’ Malawi President Banda
US pop queen Madonna who adopted two children from Malawi, David and Mercy, says she is “happy” that Her Excellency Joyce Banda is now the Head of State, spurring hopes that her new agenda on helping education in the country will not be frustrated.
The administration of late president Bingu wa Mutharika was said to be blocking Madonna from implementing her projects when she announced earlier this year through Raising Malawi foundation that instead of building the girls academy, it is providing $300,000 to the non-governmental organization buildOn, which has years of experience in Malawi, to develop 10 schools which will serve about 1,000 boys and girls.
Government were attempting to block Madonna from implementing the project, claiming they were being left out on the change of agenda.
Observers claimed the move by the Mutharika administration was politically motivated as Madonna had earlier hired Banda’s sister, Anjimile Ntila-Oponyo, a Harvard-trained teacher, to head her Malawi project.
Mutharika government feared Ntila-Oponyo’s connection to Madonna could have swayed in the political favour of Banda- virtually an opposition leader then.
Her Excellency Joyce Banda became Malawi President last Saturday after Mutharika died of a heart attack on April 5.
According to Associated Press, Madonna called President Banda “amazing” and said she interviewed the 62-year-old for her 2008 documentary, “I Am Because We Are,” about Malawian orphans who lost family members to HIV/AIDS.
“She was really into girls being educated in Africa, which is a good thing,” Madonna is quoted by AP.
“So, I’m glad” the pop star made the comments Thursday in New York for the launch of her fragrance, Truth or Dare.
