President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the historic appointment of Mandisa Maya as South Africa’s next chief justice on Thursday.
Maya, currently serving as the deputy chief justice, will officially take office on September 1, following the end of Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's term on August 31.
At 60 years old, Maya's appointment marks a significant milestone for South Africa, as she becomes the first woman to lead the nation's judiciary.
President Ramaphosa confirmed her appointment after consulting with the Judicial Service Commission and political parties, following Maya’s nomination in February, according to a statement from the Presidency.
Maya, a married mother of three, is one of only four women among the Supreme Court’s 10 permanent judges. This notable representation of women in South Africa’s judiciary parallels the country's legislative branch, where over 40 percent of federal lawmakers are women. Additionally, both the National Assembly speaker and her deputy are women, highlighting South Africa's rare high level of female participation in public life.
