Mel B spending Christmas in Rwanda
Mel B is taking her family to Rwanda for Christmas to spend the festive season with the country's president Paul Kagame.
Melanie Brown with her family. Image courtesy of Facebook.com/MelB
The former Spice Girls singer who has children Phoenix, 14, and Angel, six, from previous relationships, and two-year-old Madison with husband Stephen Belafonte is taking her family to Africa for the festive season after being invited by Paul Kagame’s grown-up children, her friends Ivan and Ange.
She said: ”Christmas is different every year. Last year we were in Australia and it was lovely but this year we’ve decided to go to Rwanda. We’ve got this amazing trip planned and we’re staying with the president, Paul Kagame.
”I know his son and daughter because they live in New York and they’re adorable people. They invited us out there.
”I said to the kids do you want to go to Africa and see lions, tigers and bears, or stay at home and watch TV all day? It was a no brainer.”
However, before they fly out to Rwanda, Mel and her family which also includes Stephen’s seven-year-old daughter Giselle will have a traditional celebration at their Los Angeles home.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ”We will probably have our own Christmas in LA with stockings, presents and a big roast dinner, then we shall go off to spend time with the president.”
The president has won praise for improving Rwanda’s economy, healthcare and education system since taking office in 2000.
However, a UN report last year suggested Rwanda has been arming Congo rebel group M23 who are said to have forced 140,000 people to flee their homes and he could be investigated for war crimes.
– TEAMtalk Media
