Mandisa Maya named as successor to Raymond Zondo as chief justice
Mandisa Maya was the sole candidate to replace Zondo as the head of the ConCourt, simplifying Ramaphosa’s decision.
Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya will officially succeed Raymond Zondo as chief justice when his term concludes on August 31, 2024, marking her as the first black woman to lead the Constitutional Court (ConCourt).
In a statement released on Thursday evening, the Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa had appointed Maya as chief justice of South Africa “in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic”.
“The appointment follows the president’s consultation, in accordance with Constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission [JSC] and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly,” the Presidency’s statement read.
Maya will begin her tenure on 1 September 2024.
PATH TO HISTORY FOR CHIEF JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA
On 21 May 2024, the JSC announced that it was backing Maya, a former president of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), to become South Africa’s next chief justice.
Maya was the sole candidate interviewed for the position in May 2024 by the JSC, setting her on the path to make history as South Africa’s first woman chief justice.
“Following the interview for chief justice of the Republic of South Africa, the JSC has resolved to advise the president [of South Africa), that Deputy Chief Justice M M L Maya is suitable for appointment to the position of chief justice,” the JSC said in May after Maya’s interview.
The commission’s May recommendation was not the first time it had recommended Maya for the chief justice position.
SHE MISSED TOP JOB BY A WHISKER
In June 2022, the commission recommended Maya for the position after hours of interviews in Sandton but Ramaphosa opted for Zondo as head of the ConCourt, and instead appointed Maya as deputy chief justice. Maya was leading the SCA at the time and the first woman to head the court in South Africa.
Ramaphosa then announced in July 2022 that he was appointing her to the position of deputy chief justice in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution.
“Justice Maya will contribute to the ongoing transformation process of the Judiciary. Her ascendency to the apex court will serve as a beacon of hope for scores of young women and make them believe that South Africa is a country of possibilities regardless of gender, social or economic circumstances,” said Ramaphosa at the time.
SIX THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT JUSTICE MANDISA MAYA
- Early life and education: Born in 1964 in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, Mandisa Maya embarked on her journey into law with a B Proc from the University of Transkei. She followed this with an LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She furthered her studies with an LLM in labour law from Duke University in the United States.
- Diverse legal background: Before ascending to the judiciary, Maya’s career encompassed diverse roles, including court interpretation and prosecution. Her experiences ranged from local courts to international platforms, notably with the Women’s Legal Defence Fund in Washington DC.
- Constitutional Court acting judge: In 2012, Justice Maya served as an acting judge of the Constitutional Court, contributing her expertise to one of South Africa’s most vital legal institutions.
- Pioneering appointments: Maya’s ascent through the judiciary has been marked by historic milestones. In 2000, she became a high court judge in Mthatha. Later, in 2005, she became the first black woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
- Supreme Court of Appeal: Breaking barriers once again, Justice Maya made history as the first woman to hold the prestigious position of deputy president. She also later became the president of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
- Family life: Outside her illustrious legal career, Justice Maya is married to Dabulamanzi Mlokoti. She is also a mother to three children.