Maya on gender diversity progress in judiciary: Progress made but 'still not enough’
There are currently only a handful of woman heads of court, and should she be appointed, Maya will be the country's very first woman chief justice.
Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya during an interview for the position of chief justice on 21 May 2024. Picture: @OCJ_RSA/X
JOHANNESBURG - Gender diversity in the judiciary has again come under the spotlight in Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya's interview for the position of Chief Justice.
The sole nominee to succeed current Chief Justice Raymond Zondo after his retirement in August, Maya was interviewed for the post before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Tuesday.
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There are currently only a handful of woman heads of court, and should she be appointed, Maya will be the country's very first woman chief justice.
Asked by commissioner Sylvia Lucas about the progress made so far in terms of achieving gender diversity on the bench, Maya said there was still a way to go.
"Significant progress has been made but it’s still not enough."
Maya said the relaunch of the Brigitte Mabandla Aspirant Women Judges' Programme had given the cause a much-needed boost, though, and that it was evidence that providing training and education worked.
"This concept works. I don’t think we have to do anything fancy. What you do is to source potential candidates. You look for people who promise to have what it takes, and you give them a chance."