Madonna has been in touch with the natural father of her adopted son David Banda, to reassure him that his son's welfare is a top priority, despite the singer's split from husband Guy Ritchie. Madonna didn't go herself, but sent the sentiments via Philippe van den Bossche, the executive director of her Raising Malawi charity.
Yohane Banda, who had a meeting with van den Bossche last month, told reporters: "Philippe told me that Madonna herself will come soon to explain to me everything, but that for the time being I must stay calm because the welfare of David will be well looked after. I welcome the opening of lines of communication between me and her because I believe they will help iron out a number of concerns that I have had for some time".
Reports speculate that Madonna wants Banda on her side, given her current, previously reported dispute with Ritchie over where their children should live. If that is her motive, then her plan is working; Banda is further quoted as saying: "I would want my son to go to Madonna".
Elsewhere in Madonna news, the singer was joined on stage in LA last week by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, although they didn't perform together. Spears appeared three songs into the set at the Dodger Stadium for a performance of 'Human Nature', whilst Timberlake appeared about an hour later to help out with a rendition of '4 Minutes'. During the course of the gig, Madonna also celebrated Barack Obama's presidential win, and lamented the passing by public vote of proposition 8, which, of course, restricts the definition of marriage to a union between heterosexual couples in the state of California, overturning an earlier ruling recognising gay couples' rights to same sex marriage.