Government hits back at Madonna
State House has attacked US pop star Madonna, saying her personal frustrations that she was not massaged by the State speaks volumes of a musician, who desperately wants to generate recognition by bullying State officials instead of playing music.
Madonna, who was in the country last week, hit out at government and accused principal secretary in the Ministry of Education, President Joyce Banda’s sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo of creating trouble for her projects instead of welcoming her as a private donor.
She also failed to meet President Banda and on her exit over the weekend at Kamuzu International Airport, she was denied the VVIP status.
But State House in a strongly worded statement made available to The Nation refuted that neither the President nor any government official denied Madonna any attention or courtesy during her recent visit.
“In any case, even if the defined parameters of attention and courtesy existed in respect of Madonna, the liberties of discretion to give or not to give that attention or courtesy would ordinarily and naturally remain the preserve of the host. Attention or courtesy is never demanded,” said Tusekele Mwanyongo, State House press officer.
Madonna has adopted two children from Malawi David and Mercy. State House said such gesture was humanitarian.
“It, therefore, comes across as strange and depressing that for a humanitarian act, prompted only by her, Madonna wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude,” said Mwanyongo.
He added while Madonna is a famed international musician that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory she finds herself in, including Malawi, to give her State treatment.
