Zahara’s Biological Mother Speaks Out
There has been a lot of talk lately about Zahara - some people are saying that she was adopted illegally and that her biological mother did not die of AIDS, as the biological grandmother claimed during the adoption process.
A woman named Mentwabe Dawit has come forward and claimed that she is Zahara’s biological mother. She told reporters the story of how she was raped one evening when she walked home from her job at a construction site.
“He pulled a dagger, put one hand on my mouth, so that I could not scream. He then raped me and disappeared.”
She did not tell anyone about the pregnancy until she was unable to hide it any longer. Zahara was born on the dirt floor of her mother’s home and was immediately named Yemsrach, which means Good News. She says that she tried to take care of Yemsrach, but that she was unable to feed her, and that she became so malnurished she was unable to even cry.
In desperation, Mentwabe ran away. She says she couldn’t bear to see her daughter die.
Her mother looked for Mentwabe but was unable to find her, so she put the infant up for adoption. Yemsrach was adopted by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and was re-named Zahara.
Mentwabe swears that she’s never wanted Zahara back, and that she believes that Angelina is a better mother than she could be. She says she feels grateful that Angelina adopted her daughter.
“I think my daughter is a very fortunate human being to be adopted by a world famous lady. I wish them both all the success they deserve.”
She has also said that one day, when Zahara is grown, she would like to meet her, to explain why she was put up for adoption.
In this video, Mentwabe speaks with British reporters and denounces that she’s ever tried to get Zahara back.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:32 am
This situation is one that the press created to the detriment of everyone concerned. Especially Zahara. And, as for meeting her one day, it seems typical of what all birth parents and adoptees hope for everywhere in the world.
This reminds me of Madonna’s adoption in Malawi. The press hounded a sustenance farmer and took so much of his time away from his work that I can’t imagine how he fed himself.
Payment from Western tabloid journalists for quotes is probably more profitable than any other work for poor people in Africa.