The decision to approve Madonna's adoption Mercy James has received a mixed response, the BBC report. The Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal granted Madonna the right to adopt Mercy last week which prompted a positive response on phone-in shows. "She is taking Mercy out of a life of destitution; she could have lived in the orphanage until she was old enough to start prostitution," said Michael Jonas, a curio seller in Blantyre. "I am happy for her and the world should ignore the so-called father. We have lots of fathers but very few parents." However, James Kambewa, who is claiming paternity of the four-year-old girl, vowed to fight the adoption. "I won't give up the fight," he said. "I wrote to the court challenging the adoption because I am ready and willing to take care of my child. How can they continue referring to her as an orphan when I told them I am there for her?" Madonna, of course, was delighted with the news. "I am extremely grateful for the Supreme Court's ruling on my application to adopt Mercy James," the singer said in a statement. "I am ecstatic... My family and I look forward to sharing our lives with her."
