Author: Boo Chanco

……Attorney-General urges closure as family seeks to challenge burial ruling

PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal is scheduled to set a date for hearing in a case the Lungu family has filed to challenge a recent burial judgment it lost.

Attorney-General Mulilo Kabesha expressed hope that negotiations between the government and the Lungu family regarding the prolonged burial impasse conclude soon.

“We need to come to a closure,” Mr. Kabesha said when he appeared on Diamond Television’s COSTA programme on Sunday.

Three weeks ago, the Gauteng High Court refused to allow the Lungu family to appeal against its judgment.

The High Court had ordered the repatriation of ex-President Edgar Lungu’s body back to Zambia for burial.

On August 8, the High Court ruled that the Zambian government could repatriate Mr. Lungu’s remains from South Africa.

The court further ruled that he would be accorded a State funeral following his death on June 5, 2025.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, the Lungu family applied for leave to appeal against the judgment.

They argued that the lower court’s verdict failed to consider their rights in the burial matter.

However, on September 16, the High Court dismissed the leave application, stating that it lacked merit.

Following this dismissal, the Lungu family lodged another application for leave to appeal before the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court of Appeal will determine whether the family can challenge the High Court’s earlier decision.

The matter has attracted national attention due to the prolonged dispute and the high-profile nature of the late president.

Attorney-General Kabesha has emphasized the need for both sides to resolve the issue amicably to bring closure to the nation.

The Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision on whether to hear the case will be closely watched by both the government and the Lungu family.

This case highlights the complexities involved in balancing family rights with state protocols regarding state funerals and repatriation.

Once a hearing date is set, the proceedings will provide clarity on the legal standing of the family’s claims.

The resolution of the dispute is expected to finally allow arrangements for ex-President Edgar Lungu’s burial to proceed.

The post South Africa Supreme Court of Appeal to set date for Lungu Family burial dispute appeared first on The Maravi Post.

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Kondwani Nankhumwa, the President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), recently announced his intention to become the Speaker of the National Assembly.

While the man parades himself as a seasoned parliamentarian with a wealth of experience, this bid is not only premature but fundamentally flawed.

Nankhumwa’s track record, especially his dismal leadership of the opposition, exposes his unsuitability for the prestigious and demanding role of Speaker. The truth is clear: Nankhumwa lacks the gravitas, impartiality, and leadership muscle required to preside over Malawi’s National Assembly effectively.

Nankhumwa’s claims of experience and commitment to impartial stewardship are nothing more than hollow rhetoric designed to camouflage a history of failure.

His tenure as leader of the opposition from 2020 to 2024 was marked by weak leadership, lackluster influence, and an inability to rally his fellow parliamentarians around a coherent vision or common cause.

Leadership in the opposition is no easy task, requiring resilience, strategic thinking, and the capacity to unify diverse voices against a dominant ruling party. Unfortunately for Nankhumwa, he failed spectacularly on all these fronts.

His opposition leadership was characterized by incoherence and internal discord within his party ranks.

Instead of fostering solidarity and mounting a robust challenge to government policies, Nankhumwa presided over a fragmented opposition that struggled to make any significant headway.

This failure not only diminished the opposition’s credibility but also exposed Nankhumwa’s glaring inadequacies as a leader.

If he could not command respect and discipline within his own party, how can he be expected to wield authority and impartiality as Speaker of the National Assembly?

The role of Speaker demands a person who can rise above party politics, ensuring fair play and decorum in parliamentary debates.

It requires an individual with a firm grasp of parliamentary rules, the diplomacy to manage conflicts, and the moral integrity to act without fear or favor. Nankhumwa’s record, however, suggests the opposite.

His tenure in Parliament has been marked by partisanship and a tendency to engage in confrontational politics rather than fostering a culture of respectful dialogue.

His recent promise to treat all MPs equally rings hollow, considering his history of divisive tactics and political maneuvering.

Moreover, Nankhumwa’s campaign slogan, “Experience Counts,” is ironically misplaced. Experience alone does not guarantee competence or suitability for a role as demanding as Speaker. The quality of that experience and the ability to translate it into effective leadership matter far more.

In Nankhumwa’s case, his experience is marred by repeated failures to galvanize support, manage parliamentary affairs constructively, or elevate the standards of political discourse.

His “experience” is a testament to endurance, not excellence.

Critics argue that Nankhumwa is attempting to leverage his position within the PDP and remnants of his political network to secure the Speaker’s seat, not through merit but through political opportunism. This is a dangerous precedent that threatens to erode the impartiality and dignity of the National Assembly.

The Speaker is supposed to be a unifying figure, not a partisan actor seeking to consolidate personal power.

Nankhumwa’s ambitions appear motivated more by self-interest and political survival than by a genuine desire to serve the institution and the nation.

It is also important to recall that during his time as Chair of the Parliamentary Media Committee from 2009 to 2011, Nankhumwa’s leadership was unremarkable and failed to leave a lasting positive impact on parliamentary communications or transparency.

His stint in that role did little to prepare him for the far more complex responsibilities of the Speaker’s chair.

This history further underlines the discrepancy between his claims and reality.

The National Assembly deserves a Speaker who commands respect across party lines, who can bring order to proceedings, and who embodies the highest standards of integrity and fairness. Kondwani Nankhumwa falls far short of these criteria.

His failed opposition leadership, partisan conduct, and lack of genuine statesmanship disqualify him from being anything but a divisive figure in the Speaker’s chair.

Kondwani Nankhumwa’s bid to become Speaker of the National Assembly is a misguided endeavor that will do more harm than good.

His past failures as opposition leader demonstrate that he lacks the necessary political strength and impartiality to preside over Malawi’s Parliament effectively.

The country needs a Speaker who can unite, lead with wisdom, and uphold the dignity of the institution — qualities that Nankhumwa has consistently failed to demonstrate.

It is imperative that MPs look beyond empty slogans and consider the harsh realities of his track record before endorsing a candidacy that threatens to undermine the very essence of parliamentary governance in Malawi.

The post Kondwani Nankhumwa’s speaker ambitions: A flawed bid by a failed opposition leader appeared first on The Maravi Post.

Justin Baldoni’s former agent, Danny Greenberg, seemingly compared Blake Lively’s behavior on the set of It Ends With Us to extortion.

According to court documents obtained by multiple outlets on Monday, October 13, Greenberg, who repped Baldoni at the time of filming the Colleen Hoover adaptation, testified in a deposition that Lively’s behavior and pressure towards Baldoni and the studio felt like “extortion” to him. Greenberg accused Lively of making an “effort to gain control of the film.”

Greenberg later clarified that he did not mean Lively was committing literal criminal extortion.

“My use of the word extortion there was referencing just cumulative behavior that both the studio and [production company Wayfarer Studios] and Justin was having to manage,” he said in the deposition.

Blake Lively Claims Justin Baldoni Made Other Women ‘Uncomfortable’ on Set

Greenberg also stated that he believed Lively made threats regarding the It Ends With Us August 2024 premiere. The talent manager claimed that he had conversations with Sony production executive Ange Giannetti “about the behavior that Blake was displaying along the way” regarding “the premiere issue.”

People reported that Lively’s talent agent Warren Zavala was deposed on Monday, per documents obtained by People. as well. When asked about his visit to the It Ends With Us set, Zavala reportedly claimed that shared he was not “aware of any incidents that made Ms. Lively uncomfortable” and that “everything seemed to be going well.”

However, Zavala later alleged that there were claimed that Lively reported to him there were “definitely issues” reported by Lively during the film’s post-production process regarding her “interaction … with Justin and their collaboration in the final stages of post.”

Lively’s spokesperson slammed Greenberg’s comment and Baldoni’s move to depose him in a statement to Us Weekly on Monday.

“The court already dismissed their so-called ‘taking over a movie’ claim, and this cherry-picked deposition quote from Baldoni’s prior agent before he was dropped from WME adds nothing new,” the statement read. “In fact, the court’s dismissal even assumed their allegations were true for the sake of argument — and still held that they don’t amount to a valid claim under the law. That’s what matters, because this is a legal process, not a click-bait one. This is just a recycled distraction that has nothing to do with the actual sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit Baldoni and the Wayfarer Defendants are facing.”

Lively and Baldoni’s legal issues began in December 2024 when the actress accused her It Ends With Us costar and director of sexual harassment and orchestrating an alleged smear campaign against her.

Baldoni vehemently denied the allegations and countersued Lively. A judge dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit earlier this year. Lively’s case remains ongoing and is scheduled for March 2026.

“The court decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign, and it does not in any way affect our vigorous defense against Ms. Lively’s claims,” a Baldoni lawyer said in a statement to Us in June. “Discovery is proceeding and we are confident that we will prevail against these factually baseless accusations. Instead of revising the existing claims, our clients will be pursuing additional legal options that are available to us.”

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyers Slam Blake Lively’s New ‘Other Women’ Claims

Back in July, Lively was deposed by Baldoni’s legal team in New York City. Us previously reported that Baldoni was present for the deposition. Following the meeting, Lively’s lawyers shared they were happy with the outcome and looking forward to the next steps in the case.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of her deposition, and now look forward to deposing Justin Baldoni and each of the codefendants in short order,” a spokesperson for Lively said in a statement to Us at the time. “Deposition testimony is confidential for good reason — it’s evidence in a legal proceeding and is subject to objections and evidentiary rules. Juries aren’t just handed deposition transcripts to read at home, and instead they listen to testimony that is presented at trial under a judge’s supervision.”

Recently, Us exclusively obtained a copy of an unsigned draft of Lively’s contract for It Ends With Us. The document revealed that Lively was to be paid more than $1.7 million for the film. The contract also included hefty bonuses for Lively based on box office performance and if she was nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe or SAG Award.

The post Justin Baldoni’s Former Agent Compares Blake Lively’s Behavior to ‘Extortion’ appeared first on The Maravi Post.

UPDATE: 10/13/25 at 8:55 p.m. ET — Alec Baldwin has broken his silence after crashing his car into a tree in East Hampton.

“I was in a car accident this morning. I’m fine, my brother Stephen was visiting me on Long Island. We spent the weekend out there for the [Buffalo] film festival,” Alec explained via his Instagram on Monday. “A guy cut me off, a big garbage truck, a garbage truck the size of a whale. I’ve never seen a garbage truck that big. It must have been for something commercial, like taking away material from construction or something .. Anyway, I won’t go into the details now, I’m boring you. But to avoid hitting him, I hit a tree, I hit a big fat tree. I crushed my car. My wife’s car. I crushed my wife’s car. I feel bad about that. But it’s all fine, I’m fine, my brother’s fine and boppity bop.”

Alec then extended his thanks to the East Hampton police department who were “nice as can be” to him and his brother Stephen Baldwin, who was also in the car at the time of the accident. He also shouted out Officer Gerken, who came to his “aid” and helped him file a report at the time of the crash.

“My wife’s car is pretty smashed up. Big fat tree,” he continued in the video before sharing his upcoming plans. “And I’m going to L.A. to see my family. Can’t wait. I’m going out to California to see my family, going to spend a few days out there to gather my family and then come home.”

A rep for Stephen told Us in a statement that he is also “doing fine and is grateful no one was injured. He appreciates the concern and he can confirm that he and Alec are both safe and well.”

Meet the Baldwin Family: A Guide to Brothers Alec, Daniel, Billy and Stephen

He ended the video by sharing how “proud” he is of his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, after her stint on Dancing With the Stars. “I love you more than anything and I’m very proud of you,” he told her before promising his followers again: “I’m fine!”

Original story below: 

Alec Baldwin and brother Stephen Baldwin were involved in a car accident on Monday, October 13.

The accident transpired in East Hampton, New York, and resulted in the Baldwins’ Range Rover crashing head-first into a tree, according to TMZ. It is unclear who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash or if there was more than one car involved.

A source close to the Baldwin family tells Us Weekly that Alec, 67, was in the car at the time of the accident but is unharmed. Stephen, 59, also appeared uninjured, per photos obtained by TMZ.

In one photo, Alec can be seen walking and talking on the phone, while the front of the car is smashed into a large tree. A separate photo, obtained by Page Six, shows Stephen in rain boots standing behind the car speaking with Alec while seemingly waiting for help.

Alec Baldwin’s Wife Hilaria, Brother Stephen Attend His Manslaughter Trial

Us Weekly has reached out to the East Hampton Police Department for comment.

Alec and Stephen are two of the four Baldwin brothers, which also include Daniel Baldwin and William “Billy” Baldwin. The siblings also have two sisters, Elizabeth Keuchler and Jane Sasso.

Alec is the best known of the brothers, having won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes and being nominated for an Oscar throughout for his roles in TV and film, but all four brothers have made a career of acting in Hollywood.

In addition to their fame in front of the camera, both Alec and Stephen have made headlines for their respective families. Alec is a father of eight, sharing seven kids with wife Hilaria Baldwin. He is also dad to his eldest daughter, Ireland Baldwin, whom he shares with ex-wife Kim Basinger.

Alec Baldwin’s Sister Cries in Court During Opening Statements of Trial

Stephen, for his part, shares two daughters, Alaia Baldwin and Hailey Bieber, with wife Kennya Baldwin. One of his son-in-laws is Justin Bieber, with whom Hailey shares her own baby boy, Jack, born in 2024.

In recent months, Stephen raised eyebrows for his short but memorable stint on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test after he was the first to be sent home during season 3 in January.

After getting injured during one of the tasks, Stephen got aggressive with the doctor on site and ultimately was eliminated from the show.

Meet the Baldwin Family: A Guide to Brothers Alec, Daniel, Billy and Stephen

Alec, meanwhile, has been trying to rebuild his life after being indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges after the death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.

Hutchins was killed when a prop gun containing a real bullet was fired on the movie set. Baldwin denied pulling the trigger, but was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in January 2023. After pleading not guilty, the criminal charges were dropped that April, only to be refiled in 2024.

The charges were dropped against Alec a second time in December 2024 over lack of support from the New Mexico district attorney’s office, according to The New York Times.

In wake of the tragedy, Alec has spent a lot of time with his family, much of which was documented for his TLC series, The Baldwins, which premiered earlier this year. When Hilaria competed on Dancing With the Stars for season 34 — and was eliminated this month during Disney night — Alec was in the ballroom as her biggest supporter.

The post Alec Baldwin Breaks Silence After Hamptons Car Crash With Brother Stephen appeared first on The Maravi Post.

6:00 PM PT — Alec took to Instagram and said he crashed his wife Hilaria’s white Range Rover after swerving to avoid a massive garbage truck that cut him off. Alec explained he was with his brother Stephen for the Hamptons Film Festival when it…

The post Alec and Stephen Baldwin Plow Their Range Rover into a Tree, and Survive appeared first on The Maravi Post.

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The High Court in Blantyre has dismissed an application seeking to block the winning candidate, Thomson Kamangira of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), from being sworn into office.

The application was filed by Ramazan Juma Muhommed, who had sought a court order to suspend the declaration of Kamangira’s win and prevent him from assuming office until his main election petition was resolved.

However, High Court Judge Chanza dismissed the case on October 13, 2025, citing that the application was filed incorrectly and under the wrong legal procedure.

According to Judge Chanza, matters of this nature must be brought under specific election rules, and applications for injunctions must be made as an inter partes hearing, meaning the other side must be present during proceedings.

This ruling brings to an end the legal hurdle that had been preventing Kamangira from taking office.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) had declared Thomson Kamangira winner of the parliamentary seat earlier this month, and with this court ruling, the path is now clear for him to be sworn into office.

Kamangira is expected to join other lawmakers in the National Assembly to represent his constituents in the Nsanje South constituency.

The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of following proper legal procedures when challenging election results.

Legal experts say that election disputes must adhere to statutory requirements to ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of the process.

While Muhommed’s petition challenging the election outcome remains pending, Kamangira can now proceed with preparations to take his oath of office and assume parliamentary responsibilities.

This development marks a significant step in concluding the post-election phase for the Nsanje South parliamentary seat.

The MEC has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all electoral processes are conducted in accordance with the law.

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…..Sao Tome 1-0 Malawi

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Flames Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa candidly analyzed his team’s performance against São Tome but defended his team selection saying he featured the right personnel to do the right job.

“We had the right personnel to do the right job,” Pasuwa explained.

He added, “You saw Lloyd Aaron’s performance and Njaliwa playing as a number 8, going up and down. We had numbers, but when we needed to catch them on the break, we were passing sideways, allowing them to recover.

“We wanted to hit them in the spaces they left at the back when attacking, but it didn’t happen”.

Pasuwa acknowledged that his team struggled to break down São Tomé’s defensive setup despite having numerical advantages in attack.

“You saw the way they played—nine men behind the ball. We were failing to unlock them and get into the last line. We had numbers, we had players who could exploit spaces.

“We had five guys attacking the last line and players dropping deep to receive the ball, but we were not patient enough,” he added.

The coach lamented his team’s decision-making in possession. “Every time we got the ball, we wanted to hit long balls to Babatunde and Richard Mbulu, but they were winning everything in the air. When we tried playing from the back, we weren’t breaking the lines.”

This means Malawi is on third place with 13 points while Tunisia qualifies for 2026 World Cup.

The post “I put the right players for a good job”-Pasuwa defends Flames loss to Sao Tome appeared first on The Maravi Post.

By Draxon Maloya

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Questions are mounting over the government’s failure to provide a clear and coordinated programme for the swearing-in ceremony of Second Vice President-designate, Enock Chakufwa Chihana.

On 8 October, the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) issued a press statement notifying the public of a swearing-in ceremony scheduled for the following day.

However, no specific details regarding the time or venue were communicated, leaving many Malawians puzzled.

Writing on his Facebook page, political analyst Edgar Kelvin Ng’ambi expressed concern over the silence surrounding Chihana’s appointment, especially in contrast to other appointees who have already assumed their roles.

“I may be wrong, koma akuluakulu tiyeni tipaone bwino pamenepa. Something doesn’t add up,” Ng’ambi wrote on Facebook. “There’s a faint but unmistakable sense that Chihana may not, after all, be appointed to the Second Vice President position. Something is cooking — quietly but surely.”

Adding a voice to Ng’ambis’ sentiments several political commentators, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the delay as “strange and suspicious,” suggesting it could undermine public confidence in the administration’s transparency.

A lecturer at the Catholic University, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, urged the appointing authority to act decisively.

“Such matters may look simple, but politicising or playing hide and seek on governance issues can only create mistrust in how the office of the Second Vice President is perceived,” he said.

Mzuzu based socio-economic and political commentator Tiyane Nyirenda also questioned the rationale behind appointing a Minister of State alongside a Second Vice President.

“I believe the written appointment is the first step towards swearing-in. Maybe they are trying to prepare the office and de-conflict it with the Minister of State,” Nyirenda observed. “Speculation continues to swirl — and I would pay a hundred million dollars just to know what Enock Chihana is thinking right now.”

The OPC’s statement was categorical: Chihana was among those to be sworn in. Yet, the absence of a formal ceremony has left the public and political observers alike searching for answers.

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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has described the upcoming biometric SIM card registration exercise as an important opportunity for Malawians to safeguard both their identity and hard-earned money from mobile money fraudsters.

In an interview with Maravi Post , CAMA Executive Director John Kapito said the initiative follows reports that the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the National Registration Bureau (NRB) are set to begin the registration process after 20 October and aim to complete it by March next year.

On his part, MACRA Head of International Affairs and Corporate Communications, Limbani Nsapato, said the regulator will continue educating the public on the benefits of the registration system.

Nsapato further explained that the exercise will run until March next year, and any unregistered or unverified SIM cards may face deactivation.

According to MACRA, the biometric SIM card registration will allow individuals to register up to 10 SIM cards, while institutions can register up to 30 SIM cards.

The measure is intended to strengthen consumer protection and curb the misuse of mobile numbers in illegal activities.

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.….Understanding how student responses help shape learning and development

Questions posed to students are an integral part of child psychology.

They serve as tools for understanding a child’s mental, emotional, and social development.

Through carefully structured questions, educators and psychologists can gain insights into how children think, feel, and behave.

These questions help identify a child’s cognitive abilities, emotional responses, learning preferences, and social interactions.

In schools, asking questions allows teachers to assess how students process information and respond to challenges.

It also provides a way to gauge their motivation, curiosity, and engagement with learning.

Questions are not only diagnostic but also educational.

They stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflection in children.

For example, asking a student how they feel when they face a difficult task can reveal coping strategies and resilience.

Similarly, questions about peer interactions help teachers understand social skills and identify potential conflicts or issues like bullying.

In child psychology, questions are categorized to address different developmental aspects.

Some questions focus on emotional development, exploring feelings such as happiness, fear, anxiety, or frustration.

Other questions target cognitive development, assessing memory, reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

There are also questions about social development, which examine how children relate to peers, teachers, and their environment.

Behavioral questions help uncover patterns of discipline, self-control, and reactions to authority.

By analyzing student responses, educators and psychologists can tailor interventions to support individual needs.

This might include counseling, targeted learning strategies, or emotional support programs.

Moreover, questions to students promote self-awareness.

When children reflect on their thoughts and actions, they develop a better understanding of themselves.

This reflection encourages personal growth, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making.

Parents also benefit from student responses.

They gain insights into their child’s experiences, challenges, and strengths, which can guide support at home.

School counselors often use student questions to detect early signs of psychological distress, learning difficulties, or social challenges.

In this way, questions are not merely academic tools but essential instruments for holistic child development.

The effectiveness of questions depends on how they are framed.

Open-ended questions encourage elaboration and critical thinking, while closed-ended questions provide specific, measurable responses.

Both types are useful in different contexts, depending on the objectives of the assessment or learning activity.

In conclusion, questions to students are indeed a central component of child psychology.

They provide valuable information for teachers, psychologists, and parents about a child’s development.

They foster reflection, enhance learning, and guide interventions that support academic, emotional, and social growth.

When used thoughtfully, student questions help create a learning environment where children can thrive intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

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