Mandisa Maya Becomes South Africa's First Female Chief Justice

In a groundbreaking move, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mandisa Maya as South Africa's first female Chief Justice. Maya, currently the deputy chief justice, will assume the role on September 1, succeeding retiring Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the head of the Constitutional Court.

Credit: The Citizen

Maya's remarkable career has been marked by several milestones. She was the first Black woman to serve as a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the country's second-highest court, and later became the first woman to hold the positions of deputy president and president of that court.

President Ramaphosa nominated Maya for the chief justice position in February, and she was subsequently interviewed by the Judicial Services Commission in May. The commission wholeheartedly recommended her, noting that her appointment would be a "significant milestone for the country."

Credit: The Citizen

Born and raised in a rural area of the Eastern Cape province, Maya's achievements are a testament to her determination and excellence. She was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in 1989 to pursue a Master's in law at Duke University in the United States, a rare feat for a young Black woman during the apartheid era.

Credit: iAfrica

Maya's appointment is a historic moment for South Africa, marking a significant step towards gender equality and representation in the country's judiciary.