Namibia welcomes pregnant Spears

Deputy tourism minister Leon Jooste recently told reporters Spears was considering having her baby in Namibia.

Spears's publicist denied the story and Mr Jooste said he may have been hoaxed.

But he will now "call and invite them to see if they would like to come", he said. He added: "We have a little niche tourism market that we are developing."

Last month, Spears, 24, confirmed that she is expecting her second child with husband Kevin Federline.

Last Monday, Mr Jooste received a phone call from the US suggesting Spears had "shown interest" in visiting Namibia, which was "a definite possibility".

But a poor connection meant he was unable to take a name or contact details.

When the singer's US publicist denied the statement, Mr Jooste conceded that a hoax was "possible".

The minister, who is currently on holiday in South Africa, said he would look into the matter when he returns to Namibia next week.

Actress Angelina Jolie gave birth to daughter Shiloh Nouvel at the coastal resort of Walvis Bay in Namibia last month.

The government of Namibia helped Jolie and partner Brad Pitt in their quest for privacy by only allowing reporters wanting to cover the birth into the country with the couple's written permission.

Last week, Spears complained that the media were taking "cheap shots" at her family, saying: "We just need privacy and we need our respect."

She told NBC's Today show her second pregnancy had transformed her into an "emotional wreck".

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