Malawian crop-worker Yohane Banda, father of 13-month-old baby David, has said he only agreed to let the singer raise the child on his behalf until he was old enough to return to his family.
Yohane is quoted by Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper as saying:
“Had they told us that Madonna wanted to adopt my son and make him her own son, we would not have agreed to that. It would have been better for him to continue staying at the orphanage because I see no reason why my child should be given away forever when I can feed him.”
Maxwell Matewere, rights activist and director of Eye of the Child, told AFP that Mr. Banda is illiterate and didn’t understand the word adoption.
Mr Banda’s U-turn comes as a legal battle is about to be launched by a human rights campaign group who believe Madonna sidestepped Malawian adoption procedures.
I was wondering how the hell she got a kid so fast, when it takes other people months (even years) to officially adopt a child.
In related news, Madonna will be taping an episode of Oprah on Tuesday, to talk about this whole “adoption” thing. So make sure you look out for that.
Lmao @ this. Wow
This whole White celebrity adopting Black children fad is getting on my last nerve.
I am sorry but the father, Yohane is short he ain’t getting his son back. Madonna’s rich White ass has too much money.
That little boy has on a blouse.
WOW, this guy is being puppeted all over the place. I tell you what, How could (David Banda’s father)what he saying be true, when his son was living in a damn orphanage?
PUUUUUHHHHLLLEEEAAASSEE! I wish the media would stop “trying” to make a circus of everything. Let DB live!!!!
@Caff..it could be a girl in the polka dots…
This is hilarious! Black people kill me – always trying to get some damn publicity. This man know he sold his son to Madonna, now he want to have his son back and be in the spotlight. Hell, I say she should give the little boy back to his damn daddy and get another one. Too much drama!!!!
What is wrong with a white person wanting to adopt a black child. As long as that child is well taken care of so what? My thing is why aren’t they just adopting children from here. There are millions of childrens homeless and in shelters right in the US
smh…
on Monday, October 23, 2006 @ 12:21 pm
oliand1 said:
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WOW, this guy is being puppeted all over the place. I tell you what, How could (David Banda’s father)what he saying be true, when his son was living in a damn orphanage?
PUUUUUHHHHLLLEEEAAASSEE! I wish the media would stop “trying” to make a circus of everything. Let DB live!!!!
Bill Said:
I co sign..
Just LAST WEEK everything was cool, until the FAMILY of this little boy got involved..
This little boy was living in a Orphanage….
Do you REALLY think Madonna is trying to break up this family ???
If he didn’t know what the word ADOPTION means,then WHY did he sign the document ???
Okay one day he says he can’t feed the child. Now he says he can. I think he’s probably being shamed by his people for giving his child to a white woman. Because at first, he was allllll for it. But I see Madonna’s on Oprah doing damage control. Sad, because at the end of the day, I think Madonna could give the child a better life. No money is not everything but I don’t know I’d take my chances with Madonna rather than in an African orphanage in a war-torn country. A caring parent, as he first seemed to be, would make that kind of sacrifice for their child.
if he cude feed hm the babe wudent be in an orphanage, give it up bro. get a job and try to get him bak
@#7, Nothing is wrong with it, but it seems like a new trend. And they don’t want the kids from here, they wany “exotic” children. Next thing you know Paris Hilton’s ass will have an African or Asian baby!
WELL I THINK ITS COOL THAT SHE WANT TO ADOPTED A CHILD FROM AFRICA. AFRICA IS IN BAD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.
THE UNITED STATES IS DIFFERENT FROM AFRICA. I HOPE THEY KEEP DOING IT SO WHAT IF THE CHILD IS BLACK
THE CHILD CAN BE FROM TEN BUCK TOO I DON’T GIVE A FUCK BLACK OR WHITE JUST AS LONG AS THE CHILD HAVE A CHANCE AT A BETTER LIFE
SHANA, nothing is wrong with a white person adopting a black child. This poor man seen an opportunty by the paparazzi and went with it. Now all of a sudden he wants his kid back. This makes no sense. He knew that he was giving his kid up for adoption, because why would you sign your kid up to be “temporarily” placed in the care of someone who lives in another country? Come on now! thsi man knew exactly what he was doing. This pisses me off, because she was trying to help him out and take care of his son. And to answer you question, they dont adopt black kids from the US because they want to be ambassador heroes and go to other countries so people will look up to them and put them on pedestals. It makes them feel more important than to adopt from a US orphanage.
Translation: Bitch betta have my money.
If he wanted David, he wouldn’t be in an orphanage! I was salty about Madonna going to Africa to “buy” a kid, but now I think he may actually be better off with her.
He’ll get a helluva education, a monster trust fund and some “we are the world” siblings. His new mama may have issues, but whose doesn’t??
now aint this some shit…….madonna betta give that baby back….
Does anyone know the background of this? What does the father mean, Madonna was to “raise him until he was old enoough to return to his family”?
How does it work in that country? And if he could feed him, why was he in an orphanage? I don’t get it. But that doesn’t mean this is just a publicity stunt. Considering the fact that a Rights Activist took up the father’s claims, there must be some validity to it– Maxwell Matewere, rights activist and director of Eye of the Child, told AFP that Mr. Banda is illiterate and didn’t understand the word adoption.–
Was his son at the orphanage on a temporary basis while he got his finances together, or maybe looked for a home? If so, this is really messed up.
Some celebs do get their black babies from America. Tom Cruise, Stephen Speilberg and Michelle Pfeiffer did.
My question is why aren’t black celebs adopting? Halle Berry tells anyone who will listen she wants a baby. She’s 40. Why not adopt? Same with Janet Jackson. They can keep trying to have a biological one, don’t get me wrong. But if you really have baby fever, why not adopt? Maybe they want babies for the wrong reasons…
THEN WHY WOULD YOU GIVE IT UP FOR “ADOPTION”? Some people really need to think about their priorities… I bet he’d dump the child at the orphanage for life if Madonna hadn’t adopted him. He just wants his 2 minutes of fame and the spotlight on him… Shame shame…
1: A good reason I doubt that this is a trend, is Maddona doesn’t follow trends, she creates them
2: Asking why she does’nt adopt in the U.S is fruitless, since she nolonger reides in the U.S as a perminent residence.
3: A great reason for adopting from Africa & not the U.S or Europe where she frequently live & reside… as a celebrity, not having to deal with the orphans family, or paternal & maternal family ties. I’m sure there would be aunts, cousins, 3rd cousins, & baby mama’s 5th cousin from the daddies side attempting o contact or interfere with their lives…
This is a safety net & it just so happens that Africa needs this, & so does that child, so who cares where she adopts?!!!
Madonna should have tried to adopt a child where the childs parent(s) were not in their life!!!! there are plenty out there!!! I hope the best for the little boy!!! Daddy is going to be rich after all of this anyway
that african nigga look mad as SHIT! pointin’ and shit
(african accent) “im gona keell dat whit wuman”
I really don’t know what to think about this. If he wants his son back then damn it Madonna, return his ass. HOWEVER since she felt love in her heart to adopt him, she should have no problem giving him back AND supporting him financially as he grows up. On the other hand….
I think it’s cool that white people would adopt black kids cus I don’t care how much money I have, I AIN’T ADOPTING SHIT!! Black or white.
I have no problem with white’s adopting black babies. I don’t see Oprah, Halle, Vivica, Gabrielle, Beyonce, 50 Cent, P Diddy, Jay Z, Jamie Fox, etc. adopting any. Such a shame that white folks care more about ethnic babies than we do.
Who the hell gives a kid up, “Until he is old enough to come back” in the first place? First of all, after living a life of wealth and privilege is he suddenly going to wake up one morning as a 14 year old and decide, “Hey, I want to go back to the village where almost everyone is dying of famine or disease” – now while that would be a noble gesture on his part, I think it’s highly unlikely! And I’m not even gonna go into the statement that, “It would have been better for him to continue staying at the orphanage because I see no reason why my child should be given away forever when I can feed him.” – MF if YOU could feed him, he wouldn’t BE in an orphanage! – but I digress.
And as far as white people adopting black children… why would anyone have a problem with someone taking a black child from an orphanage (and ORPHANAGE is the operative word here) and then putting them in a place where they have access to the best schools, healthcare and pretty much everything that money can buy???
Are we SERIOUSLY upset that a woman took a child from a place where the average job is TRYING to find something to eat and staying alive and is bringing him into an entire different world?
I don’t see many BLACK celebrities going to Africa and bringing home African children in need, so regardless of Madonna’s agenda at the end of the day -the child, who was in an ORPHANAGE wins!
I wonder how much the people who are “over” whites adopting black children are doing to help those very same children?
Buzzzy said:
But if you really have baby fever, why not adopt? Maybe they want babies for the wrong reasons…
——————————————————
So wait a minute, people who chose to HAVE children of their own, as opposed to adopting want kids for the wrong reason? Are you kidding? Don’t YOU want your own kids? Of course it would be great if we each took a child in need in, but who DOESN”T want to raise their own children, and what are you suggesting that people SHOULD adopt as opposed to trying to have their own. If your mother lived by that same principle, you wouldn’t be here!
I don’t see nothing wrong with a white person adopting a black person or vice versa. I think it’s wrong for people to criticize Madonna for trying to help out. She doing more then a lot of people are and all people can do is talk shit about it and its truly sad.
As for the dad I am sure he knew what was going on. I bet he signed all the paper work too if he can feed his son how come he was in an orphanage? How can he even expect for his son to return home and just return their like its normal. He would have been better off trying to find someone who lives in that country then some one outside of it. He should be happy that his son is going to have a good life and be taken care of.
She can adopt me!!!!!!!!
I am not playing….
Madonna please sign below.
Signnature: __________________________
So he thinks that even if they had agreed that the child would return when he was old enough, that he actually would? Look at the world he’s been introduced to now, and look at the world he’d come from. Do people really think he’ll go back to that? Go back to where his father is, maybe be a farmer? Earning pennies for hours of work, when all he can do when he’s older is attend an event with Madonna, or do an interview and earn an amount of money that is the same as his father will earn in years.
I think his father knew exactly what was going on. And why is he saying he can feed him when he put him in an orphanage? Please.
But I do tink there is something funny about how quickly this process happened. A couple days? Hmmm…
Well said #25..
#25 Carrington in Houston, you are very astute in your comments. BTW, that’s my last name and I have an uncle in houston. Is that you Mr. Dean of a law school? I’d love to know lol
I don’t understand why the father is so shocked that she was taking his son for good. If you put your child in an orphanage and the kid stays there, then you have a chance of picking the kid back up when you’ve gotten on your feet. If someone else takes the kid, then you will not be able to get him/her back. What would make you think that someone (much less a celebrity) would take your child to take care of him for a few years while you got your funds together? Come on now. You don’t even have to be literate to understand that.
However, maybe he really was bamboozled in some way by either the info he was given or his own ignorance to the politics of adoption.
I have no issues with Madonna or ANY celebrity (white or black) adopting an orphan. But this boy has a father living. So he is NOT an orphan.
She need to collect her 3 million and give that boy back.
Just my Opinion.
CTFU @ “Maxwell Matewere, rights activist and director of Eye of the Child, told AFP that Mr. Banda is illiterate and didn’t understand the word adoption.”
So this dude thought that Madonna asked him if she could BABYSIT his child – for FREE, for the next 15 or 16 years, right? Now DATS comedy!
Naw, “Why Lawd”… it ain’t “me” LOL – but if he’s the dean @ Thurgood Marshall Lawschool… ask him if I can borrow 20.00!
This guy is having remorse because since his son has been adopted, folks have started telling him how much money he should have gotten for him. If he is so capable of raising him, why was he in an orphanage? He wants money. Madonna will drop him a couple thousand dollars and he will live like a king in Africa for the rest of his days. If I was that kid, no fuckin’ way I would be going back to Africa after kickin’ it with Madonna. I’d be like, “fuck africa…boooooo!” You want me to go from lobster and steak back to porridge? Hell to the NAW!
In my opinion the daddy had already given little David up. If I can’t feed my child I am not give him up to DCF (Department of Children & Families) I’ll just have to figure a way to take of him.
I am sure when the kid gets older he’ll want to visit back home & I am sure there would be nothing or no one thats going to prevent that from happening. My family is from Haiti and its not a big deal for my culture to send their kids to the US for better education & resources. Then when they get a certain age they send money back home, so I dont see what the fuss is all about.
LMAO @ #28…I know thats right!
Now this man knows his son is gonna have everything he could ever desire and never want for nothing…could he offer this child the opportunities and education that Madonna could?
I don’t think so…especially if u don’t even know the meaning of adoption yet and still u gonna sign your name on a f’ing contract?!
Whatever man…at first I was like thats messed up but then I thought about it and that shyt sounds like Lil Man about to become the next Nicole Ritchie!
If I even had my child in a f’ing shelter and a rich, ass mofo like Madonna wanted to give them everything the world had to offer…I would be sad that I couldn’t provide them with those opportunities but I would do what was best for the child…this man gotta remember this AIN’T about him.
All I would ask is could I at least have a few updates, pics, and one day could I see my child again. I would want NOTHING but the BEST for my child…even if it hurt.
I’m so shame for DEE DEE saying, “Porrige” now THATS comedy! I ain’t heard that shit in years… that’s funny as hell. CTFU
on Monday, October 23, 2006 @ 12:49 pm
youngneef said:
——————————————————————————–
that african nigga look mad as SHIT! pointin’ and shit
(african accent) “im gona keell dat whit wuman”
Bill Said:
Dude looks PISSED.
If I was Madonna, I would give him his son back…
He looks like he would fly to London and track her down….
if he can feed him, why he in an orphanage? i read that the baby’s mom died 1 week after she had him and that he lives in an orphanage because daddy nor grandma could take care of him. He knew what was going on.
I knew that would happen, no one would give up there child forever. Madonna is a idiot, she should of adopted a child that didn’t have parents.
I ain’t buying into this shyt either. It’s now being reported that this guy didn’t realize how rich Madonna waz when he initially agreed to sell his son. Now he changed hiz tune. Something sure stank here.
But hopefully, Oprah will cut through this bullsyht like a hot knife thru budda.
FattygirlSTL said:
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This is hilarious! Black people kill me – always trying to get some damn publicity. This man know he sold his son to Madonna, now he want to have his son back and be in the spotlight. Hell, I say she should give the little boy back to his damn daddy and get another one. Too much drama!!!!
^
Um, Thats his child. He has every right to get upset, epecially if people are breaking the rules for Madonna with her temporarily seeing the baby in only a few months, where as any other nonceleb has to wait a year or maybe even longer. He knows very little about Madonna and I bet if he didn’t she would be the last choice for his son’s adoptee mother.
caff said:
That little boy has on a blouse.
LMAOO DAMN THAT, THATS SHIT WAS FUNNY
REGUARDLESS OF BLACK ASIAN WHATEVER, I’, JUST NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MADONNA BENG A MOTHER PERIOD SHE NEEDS TO LEAVE THIS TO ANGELINA AND SIT THE HELL DOWN, MADONNA IS TOO FAKE AT TIMES, THIS BROAD SPORTS A FAKE ACCENT AS WELL PUHLEASE…
pliz he wants the kid to be raised by her only and return who will return there wen he be living in a mansion in different cities of the world saying it wasnt explained to him how did he get to know what he had agreed with Madonna then
Buzzzy said:
But if you really have baby fever, why not adopt? Maybe they want babies for the wrong reasons…
——————————————————
So wait a minute, people who chose to HAVE children of their own, as opposed to adopting want kids for the wrong reason? Are you kidding? Don’t YOU want your own kids? Of course it would be great if we each took a child in need in, but who DOESN”T want to raise their own children, and what are you suggesting that people SHOULD adopt as opposed to trying to have their own. If your mother lived by that same principle, you wouldn’t be here!
________________________________________________________________
You’re not even understanding me. Go back and re-read my post. I said I had no problem with them trying to have their own biological child. However, if timing and biology ain’t working out for you and you really want to be a parent, why not adopt?
I said I don’t see many well off blacks doing so. I posed the question, why not? If the point is really wanting to be a parent, at the end of the day, it doesn’t have to be your biological offspring to get joy, love and fufillment out of the experience.
If you really want to be a parent, can’t conceive, and say nevermind then, maybe your reasons for wanting a child aren’t as unselfish as they need to be.
That is all.
Buzzzy said:
But if you really have baby fever, why not adopt? Maybe they want babies for the wrong reasons…
——————————————————
So wait a minute, people who chose to HAVE children of their own, as opposed to adopting want kids for the wrong reason? Are you kidding? Don’t YOU want your own kids? Of course it would be great if we each took a child in need in, but who DOESN”T want to raise their own children, and what are you suggesting that people SHOULD adopt as opposed to trying to have their own. If your mother lived by that same principle, you wouldn’t be here!
________________________________________________________________
You’re not even understanding me. Go back and re-read my post. I said I had no problem with them trying to have their own biological child. However, if timing and biology ain’t working out for you and you really want to be a parent, why not adopt?
I said I don’t see many well off blacks doing so. I posed the question, why not? If the point is really wanting to be a parent, at the end of the day, it doesn’t have to be your biological offspring to get joy, love and fufillment out of the experience.
If you really want to be a parent, can’t conceive, and say nevermind then, maybe your reasons for wanting a child aren’t as unselfish as they need to be.
That is all.
I think you all are confusing things when you say first he says he cannot feed his child and now he can. What he means is by Madonna sending them money for food he’d be able to feed his child and see him at the same time.
Maybe the kid with the blouse is a girl?????? As a parent I feel bad for this guy, nothing could make me give up my child, but I think he only wants him back because of the money.
if u saw the interview were this father was saying all this u should have noticed the large number of people staying on the homestead or at the house and yet they had put him in an orphanage one extra mouth to feed wouldnt have killed them its probably the 2nd wife of Davids father who didnt want anything to do with him and he was sent to an orpahnage they should be thankful Madonna is helping them out he was is in childrens home and yet they are voicing their opinions now wat were they doing the whole year he was in there probably never visited him now and they are complaining plizz
The human rights campaign muth*rs needs to find something else to do, I think they are bored. The child will have more opportunities. Anyway hope this sh*t blows over, I am sick of hearing about it. I don’t care who adopts who.
he crazy this dad makes us african people look stupid 4 real he was given money by those organisations so he can turn his back on Madonna and saying all the shit wen he agreed he should be happy his son is getting the best there is Madonna said she was goin to bring him to see his family she wasnt goin to do anything with him she has all the money in the world to feed and clothe that kid so much for being kind
uh….That LITTLE BOY does have on a POKA DOT BLOUSE..
And his Father looks like he will cut you head off with a Machete……….
@ # 48 why would Madonna want to take care of a child that is not hers? Of course he could take care of him if she was sending him some money. He could take care of him if I was sendimg him some money. A dollar a day is all it takes right? This man is trippin, if I was Madonna, I’d break him off a piece of change so he could shut the fuck up. A couple thousand will make him rich beyond his wildest dreams.
actually the human rights activists should cross the border and go to ZIMBABWE were they are far more pressing matters than with David who has amulti millionaire wanting to give him a better life
This is the one time I can really say I feel bad for Madonna. This is riciulous. That man has people behind him whispering in his ear that he needs to go to the media and say this and that. in the beginning, he was glad that Madonna wanted his child, as he said the African goverment wasn’t doing anything to help him or David. Now, he is doing a 360.
If this man was so concerned about the well-being of his son, then he should not have had him in an orphanage. This only makes him look more foolish.
uh….That LITTLE BOY does have on a POKA DOT BLOUSE..
________________________________________________________________
That’s probably a little girl, y’all. That’s definitely not David because he’s only one year old.
Kudos to Madonna, for wanting to give this child a better life, however, why side-step the legal system of Malawi to get what she wants. The thing that disturbs me is that celebrities adopt like they shop…the see a child they like, and bring said child home immediately.
I know a loving couple that has been trying to adopt a mandarin child. They are going through the process legally and it has been almost 2 years now. Did I have problems with them going outside of the US, yes…but they truly want a child and at the time felt this was there only option. Adoption is not cheap, it is a very expensive and usually lengthy process. My mother was adopted, and I pray that one day I am fortunate enough to be able to help a child in need.
The bottom line is, that wealthy parents do not equate good parents. My mother’s biological mother turned out to be wealthier than her parents that adopted her. However, she had sooo many issues, that my aunts and uncles that she actually raised feel they were the less fortunate ones. Again, kudos to Madonna…but we better not hear about no mommy dearest ish.
Lol, this is hilarious how everyone is making a fuss.
by the end of the 2nd or 3rd month i can gurantee you that people who don’t actually know what is going on besides what they here from the media will give a rats ass. Yes it’s all fun and all when we create a debate and argure over such and such, but at the end of the day were just spectators waiting for another headline to help run our mouths, thats why the whole thing just makes me want to laugh.
Not that it’s not a serious issue, obviusly the people who are involved will reagrd it as something tremendously serious. BUt all i’m trying to say is that we shouldn’t get all round up when someone says something that you may not agree with because it’s quite pointless, when it’s over somethig that doesn’t really concern us.
but carry on, bcus it gives me laughs
Kudos to Madonna on adopting a black because even if it is the IN Hollywood thing to do no matter what the motives are. However I think White people have that “priviledge” thing embedded so deeply into their thinking they think rules don’t apply to them. In an almost condescending way she feels like stripping this family apart whether they are poor or not is doing them a favor. Come back to earth Madonna… money DOES NOT buy you everything.