South African Judge Mandisa Maya was appointed chief justice by President Cyril Ramphosa on Thursday.
Maya, currently the deputy chief justice, will succeed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on September 1.
This appointment marks a significant milestone for South Africa, as it will be the first time a woman leads the country’s judiciary.
South Africa, with one of the most progressive constitutions globally, showcases significant female participation in public life.
Four women are among the Supreme Court’s 10 permanent judges, a number similar to the legislative branch, where over 40% of federal lawmakers are women.
Who is Mandisa Maya?
Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya, born March 20, 1964, is from the Eastern Cape in South Africa.
Maya initiated her legal journey in Transkei, where she worked as a prosecutor and state law adviser before becoming an advocate in 1994.
President Thabo Mbeki appointed her to the Mthatha High Court in May 2000 and subsequently to the Supreme Court of Appeal in June 2006.
Within the appellate court, Maya rose to the positions of deputy president in September 2015 and president in May 2017, succeeding Lex Mpati in both roles.
Notably, Maya holds the distinction of being the first black woman to serve in the Supreme Court of Appeal and the court’s first female deputy president and president.
Maya, the married mother of three, was confirmed for the position after consultations with the Judicial Service Commission and political parties following her nomination earlier in February.
In 2022, Maya was recommended for the top job by the Judicial Service Commission but was overlooked in favour of Zondo.
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