President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved and nominated Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya to be the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa. Judge Maya has held the posts of President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal in addition to her current role as Deputy Chief Justice.
After serving as a Constitutional Court judge for 12 years, Raymond Zondo, the current Chief Justice, will hold the position until August.
The Illusory Judicial Career of Judge Maya
Vincent Magwenya, the spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, stated that the “leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly have been invited to make submissions on the suitability or otherwise of Deputy Chief Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice.”
Judge Maya has a distinguished legal career, according to Ramaphosa; she was named a judge of the High Court’s Eastern Cape Division in 2000. She received three LLD degrees (Honoraris) from the Universities of Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu, and Nelson Mandela, in addition to her B.Proc. from the University of Transkei, LLB from the University of Natal, and LLM from Duke University in North Carolina, USA.
Chief Justice Zondo Term Ends
When Justice Raymond Zondo’s tenure of office expires on August 31, 2024, the position of Chief Justice will become vacant. On September 1, 2012, the Chief Justice was named a Justice of the Constitutional Court, a position that would last for 12 years.
Justice Zondi received her B.Juris from the University of Fort Hare, her LLB from Georgetown University, and her LLM from the University of Natal.
In 2007, Justice Zondi was appointed to the Western Cape Bench after a prosperous career in practice. He was appointed to the Competition Appeal Court as a judge in 2011.
June 2014 saw Justice Zondi promoted to the Supreme Court of Appeal, and in 2022 he was named Electoral Court Chair.
Six Facts about Judge Mandisa Maya
Early life and education: Mandisa Maya, who was born in Tsolo, Eastern Cape, in 1964, graduated from the University of Transkei with a Bachelor of Procurations before entering the legal profession. She then went on to earn an LLB from KwaZulu-Natal University. She continued her education by earning an LLM in labor law from Duke University in the US.
Diverse legal background: Maya held a variety of positions in the legal field before to entering the courts, including prosecution and court interpretation. Her experiences included working with the Women’s Legal Defense Fund in Washington, DC, as well as local and international courts.
Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court: In 2012, Justice Maya provided her experience to one of the most important legal institutions in South Africa by serving as an acting judge on the Constitutional Court.
Trailblazing appointments: Maya’s rise through the court has been characterized by significant turning points. She was appointed to the Mthatha High Court in 2000. She went on to become the first African American woman nominated to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2005.
Supreme Court of Appeal: Justice Maya broke down barriers once more as she became the first female to occupy the esteemed post of Deputy President. Later on, she rose to the position of Supreme Court of Appeal president.
Family life: Judge Maya is wed to Dabulamanzi Mlokoti and has a distinguished legal profession. In addition, she is a mother of three kids.
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