Ramaphosa appoints Mandisa Maya as the next Chief Justice

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed current Deputy Chief
Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South
Africa with effect from the 1 st of September 2024.
According to the Presidency, the appointment follows his
consultation with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the
leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.
“In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on 22
February 2024, President Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service
Commission of his intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya
as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of
office of Chief Justice Zondo on 31 August 2024.
The President invited the Judicial Service Commission to provide its
views on the suitability of Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief
Justice,” said Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.
Maya was interviewed by the JSC in May this year, to ascertain her
suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic.
“The Commission subsequently assured the President of Justice
Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the
interview, Justice Maya’s qualifications and judicial record, her
leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts,
her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as
Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the
President.
The Commissioners also advised that Justice Maya’s appointment
would be a significant milestone for the country as Justice Maya
would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief
Justice,” added Magwenya.