Justice Mandisa Maya Appointed as South Africa's First Female Chief Justice

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has officially welcomed the historic appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya as the first female Chief Justice of South Africa. The Minister, Ms. Thembi Simelane, praised the decision announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing Justice Maya's exceptional legal acumen and pioneering leadership. This ground-breaking step not only shatters the glass ceiling but also upholds the nation's commitment to gender diversity within the highest echelons of the judiciary.

Justice Maya's ascension to this eminent position marks a national milestone, as she will succeed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo upon the completion of his term on August 31, 2024. With an illustrious career that spans over two decades, Justice Maya has continually demonstrated her judicial prowess serving in various divisions of the High Court, the Labour Court, Supreme Court of Namibia, and Appeal Court of Lesotho, and even playing a pivotal role in the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Renowned as a judicial trailblazer, Justice Maya made history in 2015 by becoming the first woman to serve as the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, eventually rising to President of the court in 2017. Her leadership extends beyond national borders, as she currently serves as the Vice-President of the International Association of Women Judges, further solidifying her reputation on the global stage.

Minister Simelane urged the nation to recall Justice Maya's profound assertion to the Judicial Services Commission in 2022: South Africa has always been primed for a female Chief Justice, considering the presence of strong, capable women within the Constitutional Court. This appointment by President Ramaphosa not only commemorates the centenary of the Women Legal Practitioners Act, which legislated for women's admission into legal practice on equal terms as men, but also represents a bold step forward in the evolution of the nation's judiciary.

Justice Maya's installation as Chief Justice is more than an individual achievement; it is a harbinger of transformative change, epitomizing South Africa's journey toward a judiciary reflective of the population it serves. It underscores the pivotal contributions of women to the legal field and is an embodiment of the transformational changes sweeping through a sphere once dominated by men.

By appointing Justice Maya, South Africa sets a powerful precedent, affirming its commitment to gender diversity in the justice system. Her storied legal career and executive roles offer her a unique perspective, which is expected to usher in progressive reforms and uphold the highest standard of judicial governance.