Malawi's president 'furious' after Madonna criticised
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Malawi's President Joyce Banda was 'incandescent with anger' over a statement labelling US singer Madonna a bully, the BBC has learnt.
She was unaware of the harshly-critical statement that was issued by her office following Madonna's recent visit to the country, senior officials have said.
The statement accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to the country and demanding VIP treatment.
Madonna, who was visiting her charity in Malawi, hit back at the criticisms.
She described them as lies and said she began her involvement in Malawi seven years ago 'with honourable intentions'.
A well-placed source told the BBC that President Banda was 'incandescent with anger' when she heard about the statement, and a senior official has confirmed she knew nothing about it.
The statement, issued on Wednesday, accused the star of wanting Malawi 'to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude'.
It claimed Madonna believed the government should have 'rolled out a red carpet and blast the 21-gun salute' upon her arrival in Malawi.
'Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government...to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory,' the statement said.
And, in reference to a row over whether she is building schools or classrooms, it said she 'needs to learn as a matter of urgency...the decency of telling the truth'.
Emily Banda, head of Malawi's NGO board, said that although President Banda 'did not approve' or indeed know about the statement, there would be no apology for the mistake.
Some of the criticism of Madonna's charity work was justified, she said.
Madonna, who has adopted two children from Malawi, originally planned to build an $15m (£9.9m) girls' academy.
But two years ago she closed down the Malawian office of her charity Raising Malawi, which was headed by President Joyce Banda's sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo - who now works at the education ministry - and opted to fund 10 schools instead.
Earlier this month, Malawi's education minister Eunice Kazembe said Madonna was building classrooms, not entire schools, in the country.
'She has built classrooms at existing schools...really it's a difference in terminology,' the minister said.
Trevor Neilson, who is now managing Raising Malawi projects, said $400,000 had been spent on building the 10 school blocks allowing some 4,000 children, who had been learning under trees, to be taught in classrooms.
On Thursday, Raising Malawi put out a statement saying that Madonna 'did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere' during her visit.
She said she saw 'with my own eyes the 10 new primary schools in Kasungu province that Raising Malawi...completed this year'.
'Madonna is not letting politics stand in the way of her deep commitment to help build schools there and educate as many children as possible,' the statement also said.
She was unaware of the harshly-critical statement that was issued by her office following Madonna's recent visit to the country, senior officials have said.
The statement accused Madonna of exaggerating her contribution to the country and demanding VIP treatment.
Madonna, who was visiting her charity in Malawi, hit back at the criticisms.
She described them as lies and said she began her involvement in Malawi seven years ago 'with honourable intentions'.
A well-placed source told the BBC that President Banda was 'incandescent with anger' when she heard about the statement, and a senior official has confirmed she knew nothing about it.
The statement, issued on Wednesday, accused the star of wanting Malawi 'to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude'.
It claimed Madonna believed the government should have 'rolled out a red carpet and blast the 21-gun salute' upon her arrival in Malawi.
'Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government...to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory,' the statement said.
And, in reference to a row over whether she is building schools or classrooms, it said she 'needs to learn as a matter of urgency...the decency of telling the truth'.
Emily Banda, head of Malawi's NGO board, said that although President Banda 'did not approve' or indeed know about the statement, there would be no apology for the mistake.
Some of the criticism of Madonna's charity work was justified, she said.
Madonna, who has adopted two children from Malawi, originally planned to build an $15m (£9.9m) girls' academy.
But two years ago she closed down the Malawian office of her charity Raising Malawi, which was headed by President Joyce Banda's sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo - who now works at the education ministry - and opted to fund 10 schools instead.
Earlier this month, Malawi's education minister Eunice Kazembe said Madonna was building classrooms, not entire schools, in the country.
'She has built classrooms at existing schools...really it's a difference in terminology,' the minister said.
Trevor Neilson, who is now managing Raising Malawi projects, said $400,000 had been spent on building the 10 school blocks allowing some 4,000 children, who had been learning under trees, to be taught in classrooms.
On Thursday, Raising Malawi put out a statement saying that Madonna 'did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere' during her visit.
She said she saw 'with my own eyes the 10 new primary schools in Kasungu province that Raising Malawi...completed this year'.
'Madonna is not letting politics stand in the way of her deep commitment to help build schools there and educate as many children as possible,' the statement also said.
From BBC News
Why do celebrities feel the need to focus their energies upon Africa. Charity begins at home & I'm sure Madonna wouldn't have to look too far within western countries to realize there are many youth & schools that would benfit from her charitable efforts.
Posted by: ngl | Tuesday, 16 April 2013 at 08:03 PM
I don't doubt that there is some truth to this article. I thought Joyce Banda's comments were brilliant!!!
Posted by: Cate | Monday, 15 April 2013 at 09:05 PM
I don't think those people know the meaning of the word ' grateful '. Someone should donate tons of dictionary for them.
Posted by: Darksky | Monday, 15 April 2013 at 03:37 AM
Why so much drama about this, Why the president of Malawi have to wait for some celebrity help their country with education, etc. is obvious they don't have the money or not even the intention to help their own people.this is not about a royal treatment to madge this is about the fear that girls can get some education because their never have the privilege.Education should be a rigth every where. all the support goes to Madonna, I hope some day you can target your charity to other countries that will need your help !!!
Posted by: JC | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 06:59 PM
Madge & i have had our ups & downs ov'r the years.....but i know she is kind & a person of good character( iwa pele in yoruba means ' gentle- wise- devine - understanding'! No doubt anymore!
Posted by: John Robert Hector | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 03:28 PM
This mediocre president is also an hypocrite. She see that she goes too far, invents this story and made no excuses at all. Love you Madonna and admire you a lot.
Posted by: Alex | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 01:06 PM
Oh, and consider condoms (that America provides to you for free) and civil rights for the women you repress. I guess seeing the hardest woman in show business, a self made billionaire that came from nothing must be a negative influence for your women and girls. So sorry to interfere with your thriving, progressive march towards economy.
Posted by: Robert Bates | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 12:29 PM