JUSTICE MAYA APPOINTED UMP CHANCELLOR

BY DAN MDLULI
SAAIPLAAS: The first woman in South Africa to hold the position of President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), Justice Mandisa Maya, has been appointed the Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga (UMP).
Justice Maya, who succeeds President Cyril Ramaphosa as UMP Chancellor, was nominated to serve as the Chancellor after her approval at a special meeting of the university’s council on 29 June 2021.
Maya is a member of the South African Judicial Service Commission which manages the appointment of judges and all matters relating to the judiciary and the administration of justice. She is also member and adjudicator of the National Bar Examination Board as well as the chairperson of its Appeal Tribunal.
Her contribution to the country’s democratic institutions and jurisprudence dates back from 1994 when she served as a case investigator for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) during the first democratic South African elections.
Subsequently, she practiced as an advocate until she was appointed as a judge in 1999. She is the current President of South African Chapter of International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ) and has been awarded three Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) degrees by Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Fort Hare for her contribution to the development of South Africa’s jurisprudence as well as empowerment of women in legal profession and the judiciary.
Justice Maya’s educational qualifications are a B.Proc degree from the University of Transkei, now Walter Sisulu University, an LLB degree from the University of Natal, in Durban, and an LLM degree from Duke University in the USA.
Professor David Mabunda, UMP Chairperson of Council, said that as the titular head of the university, the Chancellor symbolized and embodied the mission of the UMP to provide high quality education to a diverse student body. Prof Mabunda added that the expertise and experience of Justice Mandisa Maya would undoubtedly be of utmost importance and add value to the university.
“We are grateful that Justice Maya has accepted to serve as the Chancellor of the university,” said Mabunda.