This Content Is Only For Subscribers
In a groundbreaking move, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s first female Chief Justice. Maya, the current Deputy Chief Justice, will take office on September 1st, succeeding Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who is set to retire.
Maya’s appointment marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s history, as she becomes the first woman to hold the nation’s highest judicial position. Her tenure is a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to the legal profession.
With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Maya has broken numerous barriers. She was the first Black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal and later became the first to hold the position of Deputy President and President of the court.
Maya’s journey to the top is a remarkable one. Born in a remote area of the Eastern Cape, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study law at Duke University in the United States in 1989, a rare achievement for a young Black woman during the apartheid era.
In a statement, President Ramaphosa praised Maya’s appointment, saying it “would be a significant milestone for the country.” Maya’s historic appointment is a celebration of her exceptional leadership and a testament to the progress made towards gender equality in South Africa’s judiciary.
As the eighth Chief Justice in South Africa’s history, Maya will lead the country’s highest court, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s legal landscape. Her appointment is a beacon of hope for future generations of women in law and a testament to the power of determination and hard work.
