Madonna kicks off legal defense against Malawi workers

 

US pop icon Madonna has begun her legal defense in a Malawian court as workers at one of the singer’s charity projects attempt to sue for unfair dismissal, a tribunal official said Monday.

 

Eight staff at the failed $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls (RMAG) lodged the action at the end of March, claiming they were let go without proper procedures.

 

The star said “there is nothing unfair about the termination of the applicants’ employment given the termination of employment was necessitated by genuine economic reasons,” in documents filed last week by lawyer Davis Njobvu.

 

Madonna said the decision not to continue funding the academy project was taken by her charity Raising Malawi Inc. “after carefully reviewing its financial commitments and future plans and was made in good faith.”

 

Led by Anjimile Oponya, the former head of the school, the workers allege they were forced to sign a termination agreement they describe as “unfair and unconstitutional”.

 

Madonna, who adopted children David Banda and Mercy James from Malawian orphanages, said the charity had proposed to pay them more than they were due on the condition they signed a “confidentiality agreement.”

 

The pop star also said Raising Malawi, a US-registered foundation providing funds for the school’s construction, was not directly implicated in the affair and it was RMAG that “would be responsible for any matters relating to the applicants’ employment.”

 

She said RMAG was “ready and willing to pay the applicants their retrenchments and redundancy benefits calculated in accordance with the Employment Act and the laws of Malawi.”

 

A hearing of the application to strike out Raising Malawi as a party to the action has been set for Wednesday in Blantyre.

 

Madonna announced in January that she was reviewing the direction of Raising Malawi, which had originally planned to establish an academy offering 500 scholarships to girls from impoverished backgrounds.

 

In a statement, she said she had realized the academy would not be enough as two-thirds of girls are not educated beyond primary school and she wanted to reach “thousands and not hundreds of girls” by constructing several schools in the area

AFP

Madonna kicks off legal defense against Malawi workers

 

US pop icon Madonna has begun her legal defense in a Malawian court as workers at one of the singer’s charity projects attempt to sue for unfair dismissal, a tribunal official said Monday.

 

Eight staff at the failed $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls (RMAG) lodged the action at the end of March, claiming they were let go without proper procedures.

 

The star said “there is nothing unfair about the termination of the applicants’ employment given the termination of employment was necessitated by genuine economic reasons,” in documents filed last week by lawyer Davis Njobvu.

 

Madonna said the decision not to continue funding the academy project was taken by her charity Raising Malawi Inc. “after carefully reviewing its financial commitments and future plans and was made in good faith.”

 

Led by Anjimile Oponya, the former head of the school, the workers allege they were forced to sign a termination agreement they describe as “unfair and unconstitutional”.

 

Madonna, who adopted children David Banda and Mercy James from Malawian orphanages, said the charity had proposed to pay them more than they were due on the condition they signed a “confidentiality agreement.”

 

The pop star also said Raising Malawi, a US-registered foundation providing funds for the school’s construction, was not directly implicated in the affair and it was RMAG that “would be responsible for any matters relating to the applicants’ employment.”

 

She said RMAG was “ready and willing to pay the applicants their retrenchments and redundancy benefits calculated in accordance with the Employment Act and the laws of Malawi.”

 

A hearing of the application to strike out Raising Malawi as a party to the action has been set for Wednesday in Blantyre.

 

Madonna announced in January that she was reviewing the direction of Raising Malawi, which had originally planned to establish an academy offering 500 scholarships to girls from impoverished backgrounds.

 

In a statement, she said she had realized the academy would not be enough as two-thirds of girls are not educated beyond primary school and she wanted to reach “thousands and not hundreds of girls” by constructing several schools in the area

AFP

Another Story on it :)

 

Madonna has launched a legal defence against a group of sacked employees from her Raising Malawi charity.

 

The superstar is being sued by eight workers who claim they were unfairly dismissed after plans to build a girls’ school were scrapped.

 

After initially announcing plans for the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls two years ago, the project was abandoned in January after it was revealed that the charity’s board of directors, set up by the star, had allegedly squandered £2.4m on excessive salaries, free housing and chauffeur driven cars.

 

The Music singer, who has two adopted children from the impoverished African nation, lent $11m of her own funds to the organisation.

 

New papers filed by Madge’s lawyers insist that the staff were dismissed due to "genuine economic reasons". The papers state: "There is nothing unfair about the termination of the applicants' employment since termination of employment was necessitated by genuine economic reasons... [The decision to scrap the school was made]after carefully reviewing its financial commitments and future plans and was made in good faith... [We] had tried to act reasonably and expediently to avoid frustrating the former workers."

 

On a brighter note, the queen of pop is reuniting with William Orbit, who produced her Ray Of Light album. The uber-producer is helping out with the soundtrack to W.E., the film Madonna is directing about the romance between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, which led to the king’s abdication.

 

Anthea Turner Copies Madonna.

http://img.over-blog.com/480x480/1/52/29/59/Magazines2010_01/Anthea_Turner_looking_like_Madonna_01.jpg

http://img.over-blog.com/480x480/1/52/29/59/Magazines2010_01/Anthea_Turner_looking_like_Madonna_02.jpg

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Good GOD :mellow:

Good GOD :mellow:

LMAO, maybe she should stick to her perfect housewife show.

 

Or just go away full stop? :P

Her perfect housewife show wasn't too bad. lol

Like A Prayer is featured in may's Out magazine.

http://allaboutmadonna.com/images/news/11-04-28-madonna-like-a-prayer-out.jpg

Oh my God, the first one of Anthea in the Sorry outfit is fine, but the bandage one is just WRONG.

Good GOD :mellow:

+1 :huh:

Debbie Harry thinks she could have “been Madonna” if she’d worked harder

With her edge style and daring on-stage outfits, the Blondie frontwoman is often cited as a precursor for today’s major music icons including Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

 

Despite her legendary status as a musician, the 65-year-old star says she would have been able to achieve the same levels of fame as Madonna if she had put more thought into her long-term plan. Debbie thinks the American star – often nicknamed the Queen of Pop – is clearly more driven than her, an idea which was compounded when they met.

 

“Did I ever meet her? Yes. I worked with Mary Lambert [film-maker who directed Madonna’s Like A Virgin and Material Girl videos] on my hit I Want That Man video. She took me to Madonna’s birthday party. But we are from totally different ways of thinking,” she said in an interview with Q magazine. “She is so totally career-orientated and showbiz-minded. I missed the boat on that one. If I had thought more I would probably have been Madonna before she was.”

 

Despite their differences, Debbie considers Madonna an exceptional artist. However, there are many other artists she’s been even more impressed with.

 

“She had some really great songs. She’s a great performer and a great dancer. Anyone who has that determination and drive, you have to give them credit. But she wasn’t my favourite,” she added.

If you want to laugh read this week's UK Grazia. Gossip:

http://www.madonnalicious.com/images/extra/2011/grazia_250411_news.jpg

Hey, I'm just wondering what's up the forum has be quiet the last few days.... What are you guys up to....

 

As for me I'm just playing the "Music" album (on random I'm nearly at the end) I'm listening to Amazing at the moment, it's probably the least played song on the album for me. The Music era seems a lifetime ago tho.

 

I'm thinking about buying JLo's new album...

Can any one recommend it ?........

Buy it and I shall love you for the rest of this life and the next :D

Can you recommend me a track that you think is great and I'll download it?.

I do love her this is me.....then cd.

Well if you liked TIM..T then I'd go for Starting Over :D

7 reasons why Madonna shouldn't have felt 'fat' at Met Gala

 

US Magazine says Madonna claims she looked "fat" at the Met Gala last night in her blue Stella McCartney gown.

Now we understand that everyone has their "fat days" now and then, but the Material Girl has been one of the hottest gals in Hollywood for decades, and, at 52, she's still got it -- whether she thinks so or not.

 

Here are just a few of the reasons why:

 

1. She's #10 on our list of the 50 Most Beautiful Women Over 50

2. She's super into fitness and even started her own gym in Mexico City last year

3. Have you seen her arms?

4. She dates guys a fraction of her age

5. Her dress is made of the most unforgiving fabric ever

6. She's on a macrobiotic diet, which must automatically make you hardcore and hot

7. Did we mention she's 52?

 

So, Madonna: You're wrong.

 

From Zimbio.com

Slant Magazine claim that Madonna shot a video with Lady Gaga yesterday.

Madonna Auctions Chanel Boots to Support Daughter’s School

 

Madonna has donated a pair of personally-worn and autographed Chanel boots to an online auction site, with proceeds going to New York City’s LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, which her daughter Lourdes attends. Other alumni of the famed performing arts school include Jennifer Aniston, Liza Minelli and Adrian Grenier.

 

The LaGuardia Benefit Auction, being held May 5-12 at GottaHaveRockandRoll.com, will help raise money so the school can make up for budget cuts in excess of $2.6 million, with more possible cuts on the horizon. Proceeds from Madonna’s boots, which have a starting bid of $1,000, will help support grants to the school’s many artistic studios, as well as tutoring, library upgrades, and after-school programs

http://allaboutmadonna.com/images/news/11-05-05-madonna-chanel-boots.jpg

I love the boots.