The world has lost a remarkable talent with the passing of Dame Maggie Smith, who died at the age of 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, expressing their devastation at the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother to five grandchildren.
Maggie Smith, born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England, knew from a young age that she was destined for the stage. After graduating from the Oxford Playhouse School in 1953, she quickly made her mark in the theater world. Her first professional acting role came in 1952 when she portrayed Viola in Shakespeare’s *Twelfth Night* with the Oxford University Dramatics Society.
Her big break came on Broadway with *New Faces of 1956* and in England with *Share My Lettuce*, establishing her as a formidable presence in the theater scene. By the 1960s, she was a prominent figure at the National Theatre of Great Britain, earning acclaim for her role as Desdemona in Laurence Olivier’s production of *Othello*, a performance she reprised in the 1965 film adaptation.
Maggie’s film career took off with her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969 for *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie*. She won a second Oscar in 1978 as a supporting actress for her role in *California Suite*. Throughout her career, she captivated audiences with her diverse performances, from stage dramas to comedies.
Among her most cherished roles were Mother Superior in *Sister Act* alongside Whoopi Goldberg, and the iconic Professor McGonagall in the *Harry Potter* series. More recently, she charmed viewers as the witty Dowager Countess in *Downton Abbey* and its sequel film, *Downton Abbey: A New Era. Maggie’s contributions to the arts were recognized with numerous honors, including being named a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990 and a Companion of Honour in 2014.
She navigated personal challenges as well, including a battle with breast cancer diagnosed in 2008, which she faced while continuing to work on the *Harry Potter* films. Maggie was previously married to actor Robert Stephens from 1967 until their divorce in 1974, and later to playwright Beverly Cross until he died in 1998. Dame Maggie Smith leaves behind a rich legacy of performances that will continue to inspire and entertain for generations to come. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and fans around the world.
In other news – Clearing agent arrested for cement smuggling and obstruction of justice
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Progress Matengaifa, a clearing agent based at the Chirundu Border Post, on serious charges related to the illegal importation of cement. This arrest took place on September 26, 2024, and is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and protect local industries.
Matengaifa stands accused of violating Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021, which prohibits the importation of cement to safeguard local manufacturers. According to the ZACC’s statement, Matengaifa facilitated the illegal importation by clearing a truck loaded with cement using forged documentation. Read More
