Mandisa Maya has been appointed as the first female Chief Justice of South Africa.

On Thursday, South African judge Mandisa Maya was appointed Chief Justice by President Cyril Ramaphosa, making her the first woman to hold the position. At the age of 60, Maya will succeed Raymond Zondo, who is set to retire from his role as a Constitutional Court judge at the end of August.

The presidency highlighted that this appointment represents a "significant milestone," noting that "Justice Maya would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice."

The appointment followed consultations with the Judicial Service Commission and political parties, after Maya was nominated for the position in February.

In 2022, Maya was considered for the top job, but Ramaphosa chose Zondo, who was 64 at the time, instead. Currently serving as Zondo's deputy, Maya, a married mother of three, is one of four women among the ten permanent judges on the top court.

South Africa, with its progressive constitution, has a notable level of female participation in public life, with women constituting over 40% of lawmakers, including the National Assembly speaker and her deputy.