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Madonna backs Swansea student

10th January 2007

A Malawian student studying for a Social Work degree is here at Swansea University after he was sponsored by Madonna. Willard Manjolo's living expenses and fees will be covered, thought to amount to around £20,000.

Madonna reportedly agreed to pay Mr Manjolo's fees four months before she became embroiled in controversy over her adoption of a Malawian baby, 13-month old David Banda.

Some reports have indicated that her sponsorship could be construed as payment for the adoption. A Malawian lawyer campaigning against the adoption, Justin Dzodzi, said that "all the circumstances around the case needed to be re-examined," and that this sponsorship should be brought before the court.

Mr Manjolo, 40, is a civil servant working in the Ministry for Gender and Child Welfare, and had been waiting for funding so he could attend the course since 1984. He told the Mail on Sunday it was "only last August that I was told the money had been finally sourced." Adrina Mchiela, the principal secretary at the Ministry said that "Madonna is paying for everything and we are really grateful."

Mr Manjolo says that his education in Swansea will allow him to train social workers when he returns to Malawi, helping more orphans find families. Mr Manjolo says that he was not involved in the adoption process involving Madonna, but that he believes her application was considered on merit.

Having never met the singer, Mr Manjolo has had little opportunity to express his gratitude, but says he will be including her in a foreword to his dissertation. He isn't a fan of her music however, saying "it is for a younger audience. I prefer music by Rod Stewart and Fleetwood Mac."

Mr Manjolo started the course back in September, a month before Madonna left Malawi with David Banda, and will continue studying at Swansea University until November.

Tim Sculthorpe