Madonna’s Adopted Child Leaves South Africa For New Life With The Pop Star

But at first it didn’t look that way.

When the pop star adopted a one-year-old boy from the poor African country of Malawi, she was forced to leave without him.

The reason: the Detroit-born diva was breaking local laws, which state that foreign adoptions aren’t allowed and that prospective parents must live in the country for a year after a child is turned over to them.

But despite protests from several groups, the youngster was put onboard a plane Monday, accompanied by several people   – including a nanny.

It’s believed the plane was heading to England, where Madonna and her husband, director Guy Ritchie, have a home.

Human rights groups are still planning to protest the adoption, even though the boy, David Banda, will be long out of their grasp by the time a judge hears it.

While acknowledging the music maven has set up charities in Malawi, the child protection society Eye of the Child wants to make sure the laws of the land weren’t violated because the applicant happens to be a rich rock star.

“The court seems to have made a decision based on Madonna’s wealth,” worries Boniface Mandere. “But being a good parent is not about money, it is about caring, having heart, it’s about love.”

His group and others are seeking an injunction to stop the proceeding “so that we can ascertain what steps were taken to ensure that Madonna can properly care for the child.

“We are concerned that the correct procedures be followed and that our laws to protect children are not undermined – and our law is very clear that there is no inter-country adoption,” Mandere explains.

Madonna and Ritchie have a five-year-old son of their own named Rocco, and the singer also has a daughter, Lourdes who is nine.

Whatever the final outcome, there’s little doubt the boy will have a better life with the pop star. Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries and has been stricken by an HIV/AIDS pandemic that has left millions of children orphaned.