Malawi : Villagers kicked out for Madonna school
Villagers kicked out for Madonna school
Fri Feb 12 2010
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Malawi's government is backing a move by Madonna to build a $16.84m girls' school.
Malawi's government has told a group of villagers they will have to move to make way for a $16.84 million girls' school being built by pop star Madonna.
Residents have refused to leave the site just outside the capital, Lilongwe.
Lilongwe District Commissioner Charles Kalemba told 200 villagers on Thursday that the government land had been handed over to Madonna.
Another official, who did not wish to be named, told AFP Commisioner Kalemba said the villagers "were lucky to have been "compensated for the houses, gardens and fruit trees."
The official said a local chief, Binson Chinkhota, told the villagers to "accept the reality as there is nothing we can do."
The villagers have been offered other government land.
Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, who will be principal of Madonna's school, said the singer paid the villagers more than 16 million kwacha (about $A130,000) to compensate them for their houses.
Headman Binson Chinkhota urged residents to move, saying the school would benefit their children.
news.ninemsn.com.au
