Madonna hails Malawi’s first female leader Joy Banda

London: Madonna has expressed her happiness for Malawi’s former vice-president, who has now become the leader of the country. Joy Banda, 62, became the country’s first female leader on Saturday after President Bingu wa Mutharika died of a heart attack on April 5.

Madonna adopted two Malawian children and started the charity, Raising Malawi, in 2006. It assists orphanages and other aid programs in the country. The singer called Banda “amazing” and said she interviewed her for her 2008 documentary ‘I Am Because We Are’, about Malawian orphans who lost family members to HIV/Aids. “She was really into girls being educated in Africa, which is a good thing. So, I’m glad,” a leading daily has quoted Madonna as saying. The pop star made the comments while launching her fragrance, Truth or Dare, at Macy’s in New York. ANI