(Johannesburg) South African judge Mandisa Maya was on Thursday appointed president of the Constitutional Court by President Cyril Ramaphosa, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the country.
Mandisa Maya, 60, succeeds Raymond Zondo, whose term as head of the country’s highest court expires at the end of August.
Her ascension marks a “significant milestone” as “Judge Maya will be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed” to the position, the presidency said in a statement.
President Ramaphosa confirmed the appointment after consultations with the Judicial Service Commission and political parties.
Mme Maya had been tipped for the role in 2022, when the Judicial Service Commission recommended her, but President Ramaphosa then chose Mr Zondo, 64.
Mme Maya, who is currently Mr Zondo’s deputy, is married with three children and is one of four women among the 10 permanent judges on the highest court.
The Justice Ministry described her as “a brilliant jurist and pioneer” whose career saw her become the first woman to serve as president of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
“This appointment illustrates how far we have come as a nation and how our courts have evolved, both in terms of origins and [d’égalité] gender,” Justice Minister Thembi Simelane said.
South Africa, which has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, has a high participation of women in public life.
More than 40% of MPs are women, including the President of the National Assembly and her deputy.