CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)

— In a historic move, South Africa has appointed its first female chief justice, Mandisa Maya, as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced her selection on Thursday. Maya, who currently serves as the deputy chief justice, will take over the role on September 1, succeeding Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who is retiring. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the country’s judicial history, as Maya is the first woman to hold this position since its establishment in 1910. Maya, 60, has an impressive legal background, having previously served as the judge president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the nation’s second-highest court. She made history as the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal and later became its first female deputy president and president. Her nomination by Ramaphosa in February followed a recommendation from the Judicial Services Commission, which emphasized the importance of her appointment for the country. Born in a rural area of the Eastern Cape province, Maya's journey to the judiciary is remarkable. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1989 to pursue a Master’s in law at Duke University, a rare achievement for a young Black woman during the apartheid era. Initially aspiring to study medicine, she switched to law on her first day at university, a decision that would lead her to a groundbreaking legal career. Maya will be the eighth chief justice since South Africa transitioned to democracy in 1994, following the end of apartheid. Her appointment is seen as a progressive step towards gender equality in the nation’s legal system.