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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s nomination of Justice Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya as the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

The President of the SCA seat fell vacant after the retirement of Justice Lex Mpati in May. If the Judicial Service Commission agrees with President Zuma’s nomination, Justice Maya will become the first female president of the court.

Justice Maya was already a member of the court after being appointed as an SCA judge in 2006 and as its first female black Deputy President in 2015, replacing Justice Khayelihle Kenneth Mthiyane who had retired from the bench.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency at the time, Justice Maya brought with her to the SCA, a wealth of nearly 30 years as a judicial officer, having cut her teeth with a firm of attorneys in uMthatha in the Eastern Cape in 1987 and practising as an advocate from 1993 to 1995 after completing her pupillage at the Johannesburg Bar.

Justice Maya is eminently qualified and holds three university degrees: B.Proc from the University of Transkei, LLB from the University of Natal, and LLM from Duke University in the United States where she was a Fulbright scholar.

In evaluating her fitness to hold the office of the President of the SCA, the JSC panel interviewing her concluded that:

“The candidate has shown a commitment to the Constitution and to human rights through many of her judgments, and her association with organizations such as the Black Lawyers Association and the National Democratic Lawyers Association,” the statement read.

“She was also the founder member of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges. The candidate has also participated in community activism, making important contributions to promoting the rights of women and other vulnerable groups in South Africa.  There is nothing in the application or judgments that would suggest that the candidate is not a fit and proper person”.

Issued by FEDUSA