South Africa gets first female chief justice .

By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday named a woman, Mandisa Maya, as South Africa’s next chief justice.The newly appointed chief justice of the federation assumes office on September 1, after the term of Chief Justice Raymond Zondo ends on August 31.

Mandisa Maya’s appointment is considered a significant milestone for South Africa, which will have a woman for the first time as head of the country’s judiciary.

Maya, 60 years old, is the current deputy chief justice.President Ramaphosa confirmed the appointment of Maya after consultations with the Judicial Service Commission and political parties, after Maya’s nomination in February, the Presidency said in a statement.

Maya, a married mother of three children, is one of four women among the Supreme Court’s 10 permanent judges.The prominent place of women in South Africa’s judiciary is similar to that of the legislative arm, prompting analysts to describe the country as one featuring a rare high level of female participation in public life.

More than 40 per cent of federal lawmakers are women, and to crown the story, the National Assembly speaker and her deputy are women.

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