Justice Mandisa Maya to take up new role as deputy chief justice in September

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday appointed Justice Mandisa Maya as the new deputy chief justice of South Africa. Maya who currently serves as the president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, will take up her new role from September.

Her appointment comes after Ramaphosa appointed former deputy chief justice Ramond Zondo as the new Chief Justice in April. Maya’s name was taken forward to the president as the preferred candidate at the time but Ramaphosa chose Zondo to be the chief justice.

In a statement, the Presidency said Maya brought more than two decades of distinguished experience as the judicial officer.

“Justice Maya will contribute to the ongoing transformation process of the judiciary. Her acsendency 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,” Ramaphosa said.

During her interview in June, Maya told the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) that South Africa has never had a woman in its highest echelons. She said she was the first and the “furthest as the president of the SCA, that women have come close to smelling what it is to actually be in charge of your institution and be given an equal opportunity as your male counterparts to show your prowess, your skills”.

Source: News24, Eyewitness News, SABC News, image from Twitter

Doctor Mahlaule

Doctor Mahlaule previously worked as a Freelance Journalist at Find-it SA where he was responsible for writing news articles and sharing them on social media platforms. Doctor Mahlaule holds a Diploma in Journalism, BA in Communication Science and a BA Honours in Media Studies. Doctor began his journey as a knowledge Management and Communications Intern at Zenex Foundation. He was responsible for support in event management, social media, website maintenance, writing and brand management. On weekends Doctor attends prison ministry and shares the scriptures with inmates at Krugersdorp prison and plays soccer in the afternoon on some weekends. He has a passion for reading and writing and enjoys going out with friends and socialising in his spare time. He has a one-year-old son and is planning on getting married soon. When asked about what keeps him going, he said: “My family keeps me going. I’m the man I am because I come from a loving home. I have a very supportive family who always encourages me to keep pushing hard.”

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