Malawi imemnanga malkia wa pop, Madonna kwa kusema uwongo kuhusu mchango wake kwa taifa hilo na tabia yake ya kutaka kufanyiwa nongwa (hud...
Malawi imemnanga malkia wa pop, Madonna kwa kusema uwongo kuhusu mchango wake kwa taifa hilo na tabia yake ya kutaka kufanyiwa nongwa (huduma maalumu) katika ziara yake aliyoifanya hivi karibuni nchini Malawi.
Hata hivyo msemaji wa mwanamke huyo tajiri ambaye amekuwa akiasili watoto kutoka Malawi pia akiwa na miradi kadhaa inayosimamiwa na taasisi yake, amekanusha madai hayo na kusema kwamba kelele hizo zimetokana na kutupwa nje kwa dada wa Rais wa Malawi kuendelea kuongoza asasi ya misaada ya Madonna nchini humo.
Mwimbaji huo ambaye ameasili watoto wawili kutoka Malawi alishangazwa alipoambiwa kwamba timu yake itumie njia ya kawaida kwenda kupanda ndege na wala sio ile ya VIP.
Serikali ya Malawi ilimtuhumu Madonna kwa kujimwambafai akitaka apewe heshima maalumu.
"Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory," the
statement said.
The presidential statement also questioned Madonna's intentions behind her humanitarian efforts in Malawi, alleging that the singer "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude."
"Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else.
Blackmail is the closest it becomes," the statement said.
President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week.
"Where are the 10 schools she has built? She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi. She can't be lying to the world at our expense," Banda said.
In a statement released by her spokesperson, Madonna said he was "saddened" that Banda "has chosen to release lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths. I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations."
"I came to Malawi seven years ago with honorable intentions," Madonna said in the statement. "I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit. I will not be distracted or discouraged by other people's political agendas. I made a promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise."
A spokesman for Madonna expressed surprise at the most recent criticism and called the claim that the singer had requested special treatment "nonsense."
"Obviously these attacks are influenced by the fact that the President's sister was removed as the head of Madonna's organization in Malawi due to concerns about mismanagement of $3.8 million," said Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi.
"As the largest private philanthropist to Malawi we would think that the government would be pleased that she is giving her time and money to one of the poorest countries in the world," Neilson said.
The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda is angry because her younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was fired as the CEO for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi.
The presidential statement said Malawi has played host to other international stars like Chuck Norris, Bono, David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature."
Despite the furor, Madonna seemed unfazed.
"My reasons for being here have never changed, I am here because I care deeply about the children of Malawi, that is my main priority," she said last week at the end of her trip.
Madonna traveled there with her two adopted Malawian children, David Banda and Mercy James, both 8, and her children Lourdes, 14, and Rocco, 12.
Hata hivyo msemaji wa mwanamke huyo tajiri ambaye amekuwa akiasili watoto kutoka Malawi pia akiwa na miradi kadhaa inayosimamiwa na taasisi yake, amekanusha madai hayo na kusema kwamba kelele hizo zimetokana na kutupwa nje kwa dada wa Rais wa Malawi kuendelea kuongoza asasi ya misaada ya Madonna nchini humo.
Mwimbaji huo ambaye ameasili watoto wawili kutoka Malawi alishangazwa alipoambiwa kwamba timu yake itumie njia ya kawaida kwenda kupanda ndege na wala sio ile ya VIP.
Serikali ya Malawi ilimtuhumu Madonna kwa kujimwambafai akitaka apewe heshima maalumu.
"Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary not obligatory," the
statement said.
The presidential statement also questioned Madonna's intentions behind her humanitarian efforts in Malawi, alleging that the singer "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude."
"Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else.
Blackmail is the closest it becomes," the statement said.
President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week.
"Where are the 10 schools she has built? She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi. She can't be lying to the world at our expense," Banda said.
In a statement released by her spokesperson, Madonna said he was "saddened" that Banda "has chosen to release lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths. I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations."
"I came to Malawi seven years ago with honorable intentions," Madonna said in the statement. "I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit. I will not be distracted or discouraged by other people's political agendas. I made a promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise."
A spokesman for Madonna expressed surprise at the most recent criticism and called the claim that the singer had requested special treatment "nonsense."
"Obviously these attacks are influenced by the fact that the President's sister was removed as the head of Madonna's organization in Malawi due to concerns about mismanagement of $3.8 million," said Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi.
"As the largest private philanthropist to Malawi we would think that the government would be pleased that she is giving her time and money to one of the poorest countries in the world," Neilson said.
The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda is angry because her younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was fired as the CEO for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi.
The presidential statement said Malawi has played host to other international stars like Chuck Norris, Bono, David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature."
Despite the furor, Madonna seemed unfazed.
"My reasons for being here have never changed, I am here because I care deeply about the children of Malawi, that is my main priority," she said last week at the end of her trip.
Madonna traveled there with her two adopted Malawian children, David Banda and Mercy James, both 8, and her children Lourdes, 14, and Rocco, 12.
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