Entertainment> Celebrities

Madonna to meet Mercy dad

(Agencies)
2009-10-19 09:57

Madonna is set to meet her adopted daughter Mercy's father.

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The 'Celebration' singer has decided to take the four-year-old child over to Malawi next week to allow her to spend time with her father James Kambewa and learn about her African background.

Madonna is reportedly keen for Mercy to bond with her 24-year-old father - who was opposed to the adoption - and hopes he will play a role in the youngster's life.

A source Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Madonna wants Mercy to learn all about her culture and the community where she was born. She realises her kids need a sense of home and she's determined to do all she can to give that to them. She doesn't want to deny Mercy anything in life - and that includes meeting her dad if that's possible."

James earns £23 a month working as a night porter.

He claimed he was told Mercy had died along with her 19-year-old mother in childbirth.

When he discovered Mercy was alive, he opposed Madonna's adoption bid and was determined the tot would live with him.

He said: "I don't want her to live with Madonna, I want her to be with me. Until now everyone thought Mercy had no father but she has, and I will do anything to prove to the courts that I am her dad and that she should remain with me."

The 51-year-old singer is expected to take her adopted Malawian son David Banda, three, on the trip too.

Madonna - who also has daughter Lourdes and son Rocco - is due to have dinner with Malawian president Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika, before flying on to New York.