Despite the controversy pop star Madonna has generated in Malawi and neighbouring countries, she is not being discouraged by her critics. This week she is launching new development projects in Southern African countries.

By Dingaan Mithi

This time the pop star Madonna kicked off the new project the Raising Malawi Girls Academy.

The new initiative aims at more access to primary and secondary education. It also provide scholarships, with a special focus on girls, and implement information and communication technology (ICT) in schools.

Senior village head man, Chinkhota who looks after the area, where Madonna’s girls academy site is located was all smiles and told the media to be very excited about the project.

A woman from a village near the project site said: “This academy will help our girls to attain high levels of education at this place, we are very proud”.

During the foundation stone laying ceremony at the project site of Girls Academy, Madonna emphasised the importance of education. “For me education is everything, knowledge is power. It’s my dream that the girls will be doctors and future leaders of Malawi”.

Madonna also observed the important role mothers play in educating children in families. “When my father died, it is my mother who encouraged me in education”. During the ceremony she handed over necklaces to girls who have performed well in their studies at Likuni Girls Secondary School.

Critics
Ever since Madonna came to the country for the first time in 2006 and won the battle in the courts by adopting David Banda, the public has largely remained sceptical. Many accuse her of using her immense wealth to adopt first David, and later another boy named Mercy James.

Human rights groups are not amused by the inter-country adoptions. And other critics believe a pop star who is associated with explicit material in her music videos cannot be a good parent to raise adopted children.

Malawi’s President, Bingu wa Mutharika, however, has always been in the forefront supporting Madonna in her efforts, saying other personalities must emulate the pop star’s example.