Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina
Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina | |
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First Lady of Madagascar | |
In role 25 January 2014 – 7 September 2018 | |
President | Hery Rajaonarimampianina |
Preceded by | Mialy Rajoelina |
Succeeded by | Mialy Rajoelina |
Personal details | |
Political party | Hery Vaovao ho an'i Madagasikara |
Spouse | Hery Rajaonarimampianina |
Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina is a Malagasy public figure who held the position of First Lady of Madagascar from 2014 to 2018. She is the wife of former Madagascar president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina.[1][2]
Biography
[edit]Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina married Hery Rajaonarimampianina in a ceremony held at the Ambohinaorina Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) in Sabotsy Namehana.[1] The couple have two daughters, as well as Hery Rajaonarimampianina's children from his previous marriage.
First Lady of Madagascar
[edit]Rajaonarimampianina became the country's first lady in January 2014. She has called for investors to create employment opportunities for Malagasy women, especially in the arts, agriculture and textile industries.[2]
On 26 June 2016 Rajaonarimampianina attended National Day celebrations while wearing a white-and-green, pineapple-themed Dolce & Gabbana dress valued at an estimated $7,745 U.S. dollars, the equivalent of 20 million Malagasy ariary.[3][4] The first lady's choice of attire quickly ignited a fierce debate across Madagascar's media and social media platforms.[3] In a country where 92% of the population is classified as poor, including the 53% of residents who live in extreme poverty, much of the discussion focused on the high cost of the garment.[3] Malagasy social media users and local media released a flood of pineapple-centric memes and political cartoons poking fun and criticism at the pricey dress, while the hashtag #mananasy, which translates as pineapple in Malagasy, began trending within days of the event.[4]
In February 2023, Voahangy Rajaonarimampianina was sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence, together with a fine of one million ariary. she is found guilty of aiding and abetting perjury.[1].
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Madagascar First ladies : De Justine à Voahangy, en passant par les deux Thérèse". Madagate.com. 2014-02-14. Archived from the original on 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
- ^ a b Baldé, Assanatou (2014-02-03). "Qui est la Première dame malgache, Voahangy Rajao?". Afrik.com. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ a b c Razafison, Rivonala (2016-06-30). "Much ado about first lady's dress". Africa Review. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
- ^ a b Rakotomalala, Lova (2016-07-01). "Why Everyone in Madagascar Is Making Jokes About Pineapple". Global Voices Online. Retrieved 2017-10-16.