SA has always been ready for female chief justice: Maya
President of the Supreme Court of Appeals Mandisa Maya says South Africa has always been ready for a female chief justice.
She was asked by Northern Cape Judge President of the Northern Pule Tlaletsi if the country's judiciary is ready to be led by a woman.
Justice Maya is being interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission for the chief justice position.
She is one of four nominated candidates.
In response to Tlaletsi's question, she said while she appreciates the sentiment behind it, she doesn't feel it's proper.
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"We had strong, capable women in the Constitutional Court with had Justice Mokgoro, Justice O'Regan and we know them what they are capable of and in other courts as well.
"So there has never been a shortage of woman who could take up leadership in any of this intuition of ours.
"And I tell you this, that question actually annoys a lot of women and I have had people ask was it ever asked if South Africa is ready for a Black chief justice and if not why? Why are we asking about women as if a homogenous special group that needs to be done a favour."
