[Benjamin]

Malawi has accused US singer Madonna of "bullying state officials" after she reportedly complained about her treatment on a visit to the country.

Madonna - who has adopted two Malawian-born children - recently visited schools her charity helped fund.

The government said the star appeared to believe she deserved to be treated better than other celebrity visitors.

It accused her of exaggerating her charity's contribution and said she should concentrate on playing music.

Madonna was said to have been angered that she and her entourage were stripped of their VIP status on their way out of the country, the UK's Daily Telegraph reported.

They had to line up with other passengers at the airport and were frisked by security officials, the report said.

The change in status was said to be the result of a public spat about her charitable work in Malawi.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth”

Malawi government statement

A harshly-worded statement issued by the office of President Joyce Banda on Wednesday accused Madonna of wanting Malawi "to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude".

"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,'' said the statement.

It accused her of being "a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage".

It added: "Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth.

"For her to tell the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms is not compatible with manners of someone who thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur."

There has so far been no reaction to the statement from Madonna.

Last week the singer toured 10 primary schools which her charity said she had built.

"I love Malawi, I am committed to help end poverty here," the pop star had said.

However, Malawi's education minister Eunice Kazembe told the BBC that she was building classrooms not entire schools in the southern African country.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22103748

[arista]

Yes her Money makes her a Bully.
She gets her way.

[GypsyGoth]

The president should have said to her - It's not you your Lawi, it's Malawi.

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

The president should have said to her - It's not you your Lawi, it's Malawi.

that was terrible

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Smithy

that was terrible

I was working on that all day

[Smithy]

I read the article, she's not really a bully, just sounds like she had a bitch fit for *gasp* being treated like a regular person

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

I was working on that all day

should work a bit harder next time

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Smithy

should work a bit harder next time

I will, I learned my lesson this time.

[lostalex]

The President is just pissed off because Madonna called her out on her families corruption. Madonna fired the President's sister from her charity because she was stealing money.

[the truth]

pretty sure madonna accused the father of the first baby she took of being abusive and of carrying aids which is why she took the baby...........he couldnt speak english and only found this out later and was furious at these lies. hes a good honest man and has not got aids and he also claimed he didnt even realise she was taking his child. the man was heartbroken

[Livia]

Originally Posted by the truth

pretty sure madonna accused the father of the first baby she took of being abusive and of carrying aids which is why she took the baby...........he couldnt speak english and only found this out later and was furious at these lies. hes a good honest man and has not got aids and he also claimed he didnt even realise she was taking his child. the man was heartbroken

How come you always seem to have the inside story on whatever it is you're commenting on? Where do you get these "facts"?

Originally Posted by lostalex

The President is just pissed off because Madonna called her out on her families corruption. Madonna fired the President's sister from her charity because she was stealing money.

Yes, that was my take on it. How dare she take their poverty stricken children and give them an upbringing beyond the realms of fantasy for most people? And how dare she set up a charity to try to help people in that backwoods country. Whatever she does she will be criticised.

Mugabe said we should "keep our pink noses out of African business". Probably for the only time in my life, I tend to agree with him.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Livia

How come you always seem to have the inside story on whatever it is you're commenting on? Where do you get these "facts"?




Yes, that was my take on it. How dare she take their poverty stricken children and give them an upbringing beyond the realms of fantasy for most people? And how dare she set up a charity to try to help people in that backwoods country. Whatever she does she will be criticised.

Mugabe said we should "keep our pink noses out of African business". Probably for the only time in my life, I tend to agree with him.

because I look at things more closely than you

[Harry!]

Madonna's statement:

"I was very happy to visit with the children of Malawi earlier this month and to see with my own eyes the ten new primary schools in Kasungu province that Raising Malawi and buildOn completed this past year. These schools are now educating more than 4,800 children with girls attending in equal numbers. These children who were formerly learning outside on the ground, in unsafe buildings or not at all, now get to attend classes on a daily basis. My children and I were overjoyed to visit these schools and see what amazing progress has been made. I will continue to follow through on my commitment to help educate the children of Malawi. I'm saddened that Malawi's President Joyce 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. I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand speial 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"

[Redway]

Originally Posted by the truth

because I look at things more closely than you

[Kizzy]

I didn't see Alex get asked for 'facts' to back up his statement.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I didn't see Alex get asked for 'facts' to back up his statement.

It was in the original BBC News article.

[Withano]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

The president should have said to her - It's not you your Lawi, it's Malawi.

You always make the best posts! whats your secret!

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by BigBrother3232

You always make the best posts! whats your secret!

loads of practice.

[Kizzy]

I can't see that Alex, do you have a link please?

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I can't see that Alex, do you have a link please?

Here you go. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22123841

"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."

Are you going to hound the truth to provide links to his/her claims now?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by lostalex

The President is just pissed off because Madonna called her out on her families corruption. Madonna fired the President's sister from her charity because she was stealing money.

That link mentioned nothing about theft Alex, I didn't hound you, I asked very politely actually.
Livia already asked the truth to provide his source.

[Harry!]

It is true that the presidents sister was responsible for stealing the funding for the original school. Because of this Madonna fired her from the Rasing Malawi funding team.

[Saph]

If it wasn't for Madonna, I wouldn't even know Malawi exists.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Saph

If it wasn't for Madonna, I wouldn't even know Malawi exists.

That's not a good thing.

[Harry!]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Is there an article relating to this?

The basic information can be found in the Career section of her Wiki article. It is well known that she abused the funds and used them for her own personal use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anjimile_Oponyo