Justice Mandisa Maya will make history when she officially takes over as the country’s first woman chief justice at the end of August.
Justice Mandisa Maya will make history when she officially takes over as the country’s first woman chief justice at the end of next month.
She was officially appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday to take over from outgoing Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
In a statement, the Presidency said: “The appointment follows the president’s consultation, in accordance with constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.
“In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on February 22, 2024, President Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service Commission of his intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of office of Chief Justice Zondo on August 31, 2024.”
Ramaphosa then asked the JSC to provide its views on the suitability of her to hold the office of chief justice.
“Discharging its consultative mandate set out in Section 174(3) of the Constitution, the Commission interviewed Justice Maya on 21 May 2024 to ascertain her suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic,” said the presidency.
“The Commission subsequently assured the President of Justice Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview, Justice Maya’s qualifications and judicial record, her leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President.”
Justice Maya had been hailed for the role she played in transforming the Supreme Court of Appeal, closing the gender gap between male and woman judges, and being the first judge to write her judgment in her mother language of isiXhosa.
“The Commissioners also advised that Justice Maya’s appointment would be a significant milestone for the country as Justice Maya would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice.
“President Ramaphosa appreciates the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw inspiration and support from the confidence expressed in her.”
Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee Chairperson r Xola Nqola said: “She follows in the footsteps of great legal minds as she becomes the seventh Chief Justice in the democratic South Africa. The committee wishes her well on her appointment and knows she will make the country proud.”
Cape Times