Mandisa Maya

Maya was born on 20 March 1964 in St Cuthbert's, a rural area of Tsolo in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape.{{Cite web |title=Justice Maya Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa |url=https://www.concourt.org.za/index.php/judges/acting-judges/12-acting-judges/197-justice-maya-mandisa-muriel-lindelwa |access-date=2019-12-29 |website=Constitutional Court of South Africa}} She was the eldest of six children born to Sandile and Nombulelo Maya, who were both teachers.{{Cite web |last=Tolsi |first=Niren |date=9 April 2017 |title=Newsmaker: Mandisa Maya making history |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/newsmaker-mandisa-maya-making-history-20170409-2 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} Her home language was Xhosa.{{Cite web |last=Thamm |first=Marianne |date=2022-06-20 |title=Speaking clearly in tongues: Judge Mandisa Maya's support of Afrikaans in her mother tongue, isiXhosa, a pioneering moment |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-06-20-judge-mandisa-mayas-support-of-afrikaans-in-her-mother-tongue-isixhosa-a-pioneering-moment/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}

Her family moved to King William's Town in 1966 after her father got a job with Radio Bantu, and she attended school there until 1977, when, due to the disruptive effects of the Soweto uprising, she was sent to attend school in Mthatha.{{Cite web |date=24 April 2018 |title=Wild Coast roots sustain top judge Mandisa Maya |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2018-04-24-wild-coast-roots-sustain-top-judge-mandisa-maya/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Business Day |language=en-ZA}} She matriculated in 1981 at St John's College, Mthatha.{{Cite journal |date=April 2001 |title=New judges: Judge Mandisa Maya |url=https://gcbsa.co.za/law-journals/2001/april/2001-april-vol014-no1-pp21-22.pdf |journal=Advocate |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=22}}

When Maya enrolled in the University of Transkei, she intended to register for a degree in medicine but was put off by a forensic medicine textbook that she happened to leaf through on registration day. She studied towards a BProc instead, graduating in 1986. Thereafter she attended the University of Natal, completing an LLB in 1988. She also clerked at the Mthatha firm of Dazana Mafungo Inc, between 1987 and 1988, and after graduation she took up work at the magistrate's court in Mthatha, where she was a court interpreter and then a public prosecutor.

In 1989, Maya moved to Durham, North Carolina to attend Duke University School of Law on a Fulbright Scholarship, studying labour law, alternative dispute resolution, and constitutional law. She later said that it was "mind-blowing" to leave apartheid-era South Africa for Duke.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-20 |title=Profile: Mandisa Maya LLM '90 Spring 2023 |url=https://magazine.law.duke.edu/profile-mandisa-maya-llm-90-spring-2023/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Duke Law Magazine |language=en-US}} After she graduated in 1990 with an LLM, she worked as policy counsel at the Women's Legal Defense Fund in Washington, D. C. from 1990 to 1991.

Upon her return to South Africa, Maya was an assistant state law adviser in Mthatha from 1991 to 1993, during which time she was also a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Transkei. In 1993, she moved to Johannesburg to serve her pupillage, though she returned to the Transkei to practice after she was admitted as an advocate in 1994. She practised at the Transkei Bar for five years. According to Maya, she struggled to get briefs during her early years as an advocate and her practice depended on referrals from friends, particularly Nambitha Dambuza.{{Cite web |last=Macupe |first=Bongekile |date=20 June 2022 |title=Mandisa Maya: 'Endorse me for Deputy Chief Justice job to push women up in the judiciary ladder' |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/mandisa-maya-endorse-me-for-deputy-chief-justice-job-to-push-women-up-in-the-judiciary-ladder-20220620 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=City Press |language=en-US}}

In 1999, she was appointed as an acting judge in the Mthatha High Court, the seat of the Transkei Division of the High Court of South Africa. She later said that Dumisa Ntsebeza had encouraged her to join the bench.{{Cite web |date=2 February 2022 |title=Chief justice race advances as Mandisa Maya ups the stakes |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2022-02-02-chief-justice-race-advances-as-mandisa-maya-ups-the-stakes/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Business Day |language=en-ZA}}

On 1 May 2000, Maya joined the bench permanently as a judge of the Transkei Division. She also served as an acting judge in the Labour Court, the Bhisho High Court (Ciskei Division), and the Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth High Courts (Eastern Cape Division). In February 2005, she was appointed as an acting judge in the Supreme Court of Appeal, and she remained at that court in Bloemfontein for over a year, until she was elevated permanently the following year.{{Cite web |last=Johannesburg Bar Council |date=13 June 2012 |title=Judge Mandisa Maya: The Joburg Bar Council's assessment |url=https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/judge-mandisa-maya-the-joburg-bar-councils-assessm |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=PoliticsWeb |language=en}}

On 12 May 2006, on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, President Thabo Mbeki appointed Maya to a permanent seat in the Supreme Court of Appeal.{{Cite web |date=12 May 2006 |title=T Mbeki confirms appointment of judges |url=https://www.gov.za/news/t-mbeki-confirms-appointment-judges-12-may-2006 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=South African Government}} She took office in June 2006. She was one of three women serving on the appellate bench at the time, the others being Judges Carole Lewis and Belinda van Heerden,{{Cite news |date=23 May 2006 |title=SCA welcomes new woman judge |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/sca-welcomes-new-woman-judge-278668 |access-date=21 January 2024 |work=IOL}} and the first black woman ever to gain appointment as a judge of appeal.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-30 |title=Profile: Constitutional Court Chief Justice candidate Mandisa Maya |url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/profile-constitutional-court-chief-justice-candidate-mandisa-maya/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=SABC News |language=en-US}} She later remembered that she had been refused entrance to the courthouse on her first day, by a gardener who thought she was lost, and she said that, among her colleagues on the bench, "There are those who ignored me and showed in subtle and not so subtle ways I had no place in being here."{{Cite web |date=2008-06-27 |title=Sisters on the bench |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2008-06-27-sisters-on-the-bench/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

By the end of her tenure in the Supreme Court, Maya had over 200 reported judgments.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-02 |title=Chief justice interviews: Mandisa Maya |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2022-02-02-chief-justice-interviews-mandisa-maya/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} Her notable opinions included a dissent in Minister of Safety and Security v F: while the majority held that the state could not be held vicariously liable for a minor's rape by an off-duty police officer, Maya found otherwise, and the Constitutional Court upheld her dissent in 2012 in F v Minister of Safety and Security.{{Cite web |title=JSC Candidates Judge Mandisa Maya |url=https://www.judgesmatter.co.za/interviews/judge-mandisa-maya/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Judges Matter |language=en-ZA}} She was also noted for writing the court's unanimous judgment in AfriForum v Chairperson of the Council of the University of South Africa, a dispute about the language policy of the University of South Africa; it was the first recorded judgment of a superior court written in Xhosa. She said that it had been inspired by Justice Johan Froneman's judgments in his own home language, Afrikaans.{{Cite web |last=Macupe |first=Bongekile |date=26 June 2022 |title=Judgment question: Why Judge Mandisa Maya wrote in IsiXhosa |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/judgment-question-why-judge-mandisa-maya-wrote-in-isixhosa-20220626 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=City Press |language=en-US}} The judgment was upheld in the Constitutional Court in Chairperson of the Council of the University of South Africa v AfriForum.

While serving in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Maya was an acting judge in the Supreme Court of Namibia in 2008 and in the Lesotho Court of Appeal in 2015, as well as in the Constitutional Court of South Africa from February to May 2012. In the latter capacity, she wrote the Constitutional Court's majority judgment in Competition Commission v Loungefoam and Others. She was also the chairperson of the South African Law Reform Commission from 2013 to 2016.

During her first decade in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Maya was twice nominated unsuccessfully for appointment as a puisne judge of the Constitutional Court. She was first interviewed by the Judicial Service Commission in September 2009 as one of 24 candidates for four vacancies.{{Cite web |date=1 September 2009 |title=You be the judge |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/you-be-the-judge-20150429 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} She was one of the seven candidates whom the Judicial Service Commission shortlisted after its hearings,{{Cite web |date=22 September 2009 |title=JSC names ConCourt shortlist |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/jsc-names-concourt-shortlist-20090922 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} and Pierre de Vos viewed her as a strong candidate with a demonstrated "sensitivity for gender issues".{{Cite web |last=de Vos |first=Pierre |date=23 September 2009 |title=Not a bad list – all things considered |url=http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/not-a-bad-list-all-things-considered/ |accessdate=2015-07-17 |website=Constitutionally Speaking}} However, President Jacob Zuma declined to appoint her, instead confirming the appointments of Johan Froneman, Chris Jafta, Sisi Khampepe and Mogoeng Mogoeng.{{Cite web |last=Grootes |first=Stephen |date=2009 |title=Zuma gets 3 out of 4 right with Con Court appointments |url=http://ewn.co.za/2009/10/12/Zuma-gets-3-out-of-4-right-with-Con-Court-appointments |accessdate=2015-07-17 |website=EWN |publisher=}}

In May 2012, Maya was one of four candidates – alongside Raymond Zondo, Ronnie Bosielo, and Robert Nugent – nominated for the Constitutional Court seat vacated by Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo's retirement.{{Cite web |date=11 May 2012 |title=Judges short-listed for ConCourt job |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/judges-short-listed-for-concourt-job-20150430 |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} Maya had recently been an acting judge in the Constitutional Court, and several prominent gender rights organisations lobbied in support of her candidacy.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-07 |title=Concerns raised over ConCourt four |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-06-07-concerns-raised-over-concourt-four/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |date=2012-05-31 |title=More women on the bench offer a better gender perspective |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-05-31-more-women-on-the-bench-offer-a-better-gender-perspective/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} However, during her interview in Johannesburg in June, she "appeared nervous" and was subjected to stern questioning about judicial independence and the exercise of judicial restraint in reviewing executive action.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-09 |title=Hard punches and soft-peddling by JSC in Con Court interviews |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-06-09-hard-punches-and-soft-peddling-by-the-jsc-in-con-court-interviews/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |date=2012-06-14 |title=Judicial autonomy frightens the JSC |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-06-14-judicial-autonomy-frightens-the-jsc/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} The Judicial Service Commission shortlisted all four candidates as suitable for appointment, but President Zuma elected to appoint Zondo.{{Cite web |date=2012-10-01 |title=New Constitutional Court judge |url=https://www.derebus.org.za/new-constitutional-court-judge/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=De Rebus |language=en-US}} When Justice Zak Yacoob's retirement was announced later in 2012, Maya declined a third nomination to stand for elevation to the Constitutional Court.{{Cite web |date=2012-11-30 |title=JSC: A few good women needed |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2012-11-30-00-jsc-a-few-good-women-needed/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

In June 2015, Maya was President Zuma's sole nominee for appointment as Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, a position that had been vacated by Kenneth Mthiyane upon his retirement in 2014.{{Cite web |last=Wakefield |first=Adam |date=10 June 2015 |title=Judge candidates announced – and they're all women |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/judge-candidates-announced-and-theyre-all-women-20150610 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} Following an interview in Johannesburg in July, the Judicial Service Commission recommended her as suitable for appointment.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Jenni |date=9 July 2015 |title=Zuma has his hands full with 4 ConCourt candidates, judicial row |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/zuma-has-his-hands-full-with-4-concourt-candidates-judicial-row-20150709 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} Zuma confirmed her appointment on 23 September 2015, and she became the first woman to serve as the court's Deputy President.{{Cite news |date=23 September 2015 |title=SCA gets first female deputy president |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/sca-gets-first-female-deputy-president-1920474 |access-date=21 January 2024 |work=IOL}} When Supreme Court President Lex Mpati retired the following year, she stood in as acting president.

File:High Court, Bloemfontein, South Africa.JPG courthouse in Bloemfontein, where Maya worked for 12 years]]

President Zuma announced in March 2017 that Maya was his sole nominee to succeed Mpati as Supreme Court President.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Jenni |date=6 March 2017 |title=Judge Maya makes SCA history... again |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/judge-maya-makes-sca-history-again-20170306 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} During and after her confirmation interview with the Judicial Service Commission in April, she was highly candid about what she described as the Supreme Court's "challenges", describing the court as "not the most collegial of courts" and its judges as afflicted with "superiority complexes and disrespect".{{Cite web |date=2017-04-07 |title=Race tensions on the SCA ripped open |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2017-04-07-00-race-tensions-on-the-sca-ripped-open/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} The Judicial Service Commission endorsed her appointment, which was confirmed by Zuma with immediate effect on 26 May 2017.{{Cite web |date=26 May 2017 |title=Zuma appoints Mandisa Maya as SCA president |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/zuma-appoints-mandisa-maya-as-sca-president-20170526 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=26 May 2017 |title=Judge Mandisa Maya is new president of the Supreme Court of Appeal |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2017/05/26/Judge-Mandisa-Maya-is-new-president-of-the-Supreme-Court-of-Appeal |accessdate=26 May 2017 |website=The Times}}

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maya oversaw the Supreme Court's transition to virtual court hearings held through Microsoft Teams,{{Cite web |date=2020-05-20 |title=SCA successfully holds court proceeding via online video platform |url=https://www.derebus.org.za/sca-successfully-holds-court-proceeding-via-online-video-platform/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=De Rebus |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-01-31 |title=SA's next chief justice: The case for each contender |url=https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/opinion/2022-01-31-pros-and-cons-of-apex-court-contenders/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} and she was generally viewed as a strong leader and capable administrator.{{Cite web |last=Maughan |first=Karyn |date=20 November 2021 |title=Meet the nominees for SA's next chief justice: SCA President Judge Mandisa Maya |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/karynmaughan/karyn-maughan-meet-the-nominees-for-sas-next-chief-justice-sca-president-judge-mandisa-maya-20211119 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} She later told the Judicial Service Commission that she had arranged for the appellate judges to attend a diversity seminar, over "vociferous opposition", and judge of appeal Steven Majiedt said that the court had become more collegial under her leadership.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-05 |title=SCA tensions dominate at interviews |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2019-04-05-00-sca-tensions-dominate-at-interviews/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

In October 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Maya was included on a longlist of eight candidates to succeed Mogoeng Mogoeng as Chief Justice of South Africa,{{Cite web |date=4 October 2021 |title=8 candidates nominated for chief justice post, including Zondo, Maya and Mlambo |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/newsletters/icymi/featured/8-candidates-nominated-for-chief-justice-post-including-zondo-maya-and-mlambo-20211004 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-29 |title=And then there were six: Ramaphosa fails to release shortlist for chief justice |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2021-10-29-and-then-there-were-six-ramaphosa-fails-to-release-shortlist-for-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} and the following month, he announced that he had shortlisted Maya and three others: Raymond Zondo, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, and Dunstan Mlambo.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-18 |title=Zondo, Maya, Mlambo and Madlanga shortlisted for chief justice |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2021-11-18-zondo-maya-mlambo-and-madlanga-shortlisted-for-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} The Judicial Service Commission considered Maya's candidacy during an interview on 2 February 2022, which Maya opened with a lengthy address about the failure of judicial leadership to address sexism in the judiciary; among other things, she objected to the absence of formal policies on sexual harassment and maternity, recalling that, when she became the first serving judge to fall pregnant, the Department of Justice "simply did not know what to do with me".{{Cite web |last=Chabalala |first=Jeanette |date=2 February 2022 |title=Chief Justice interviews: Mandisa Maya hits out at judiciary's lack of a sexual harassment policy |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/chief-justice-interviews-mandisa-maya-hits-out-at-judiciarys-lack-of-a-sexual-harassment-policy-20220202 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} She was asked at length about her own gender, and she cried when commissioner Sylvia Lucas congratulated her at length for "breaking the glass ceiling".{{Cite web |last=Macupe |first=Bongekile |date=2 February 2022 |title=Chief Justice interviews: 'There has never been a shortage of women judges to lead' – Maya |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/chief-justice-interviews-there-has-never-been-a-shortage-of-women-judges-to-lead-maya-20220202 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=City Press |language=en-US}}

The interview proceedings were controversial. Some commentators argued that Maya had been subjected to sexist treatment, with Rebecca Davis of the Daily Maverick pointing to commissioner Dali Mpofu's joke about having "spent a night" with Maya.{{Cite web |last=Sibanda |first=Omphemetse S. |date=2022-02-06 |title=JSC choice of Justice Maya for top post: Women judges still evoke hostility |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-02-06-jsc-recommendation-of-justice-maya-for-top-post-women-judges-still-evoke-hostility/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}} Other commentators, however, believed that she had been given preferential treatment, especially by Supreme Court Deputy President Xola Petse; they argued that she faced far fewer substantive and jurisprudential questions than did the other candidates.{{Cite web |last=Balthazar |first=Professor |date=2022-02-03 |title=Judicial Service Commission — unfit for constitutional purpose |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2022-02-03-judicial-service-commission-unfit-for-constitutional-purpose/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=7 February 2022 |title=Why is the JSC's 'autocratic legalism' faction pushing Mandisa Maya so badly? |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/serjeant_at_the_bar/serjeant-at-the-bar-why-is-the-jscs-autocratic-legalism-faction-pushing-mandisa-maya-so-badly-20220207 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} After all four candidates were interviewed, the Judicial Service Commission announced that it would recommend Maya for appointment.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-05 |title=JSC recommends Mandisa Maya for chief justice |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2022-02-05-jsc-recommends-mandisa-maya-for-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

However, the commission's recommendation was not binding, and in March, President Ramaphosa announced that, contrary to the recommendation, he would appoint Zondo as Chief Justice. He said that he intended to nominate Maya to succeed Zondo as Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-10 |title=Zondo named chief justice |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2022-03-10-zondo-named-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

In July 2024, Ramaphosa appointed Maya as Chief Justice, effective September 2024.{{Cite web |last=Development |first=Department of Justice and Constitutional |title=Ministry welcomes the appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice, 25 Jul 2024 |url=https://www.justice.gov.za/m_statements/2024/20240725-ChiefJusticeMaya.html |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=www.justice.gov.za |language=en}}

In May 2022, Maya accepted Ramaphosa's nomination to the position of Deputy Chief Justice.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=Ramaphosa nominates Maya as deputy chief justice |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2022-05-04-ramaphosa-nominates-maya-as-deputy-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} After she was interviewed in June, the Judicial Service Commission endorsed the nomination,{{Cite web |last=Mafolo |first=Karabo |date=2022-06-20 |title=Mandisa Maya set to become South Africa's first female Deputy Chief Justice |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-06-20-mandisa-maya-set-to-become-sas-first-female-deputy-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}} and Ramaphosa announced on 25 July that she would be appointed to the position with effect from 1 September 2022.{{Cite web |last=Chabalala |first=Jeanette |date=25 July 2022 |title=It's official: Justice Mandisa Maya appointed deputy chief justice |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/its-official-justice-mandisa-maya-appointed-deputy-chief-justice-20220725 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-25 |title=Ramaphosa appoints Mandisa Maya as deputy chief justice |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2022-07-25-ramaphosa-appoints-mandisa-maya-as-deputy-chief-justice/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

In February 2023, Zondo announced that Maya had been appointed to chair a new committee tasked with drafting a sexual harassment policy for the judiciary,{{Cite web |date=2023-02-24 |title=Work to be done: Maya heading committee drawing up anti-sexual harassment policy |url=https://mg.co.za/news/2023-02-24-work-to-be-done-maya-heading-committee-drawing-up-anti-sexual-harassment-policy/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}} and in June 2023, she handed down judgment on behalf of a unanimous court in Ashebo v Minister of Home Affairs and Others, which blocked the deportation of an asylum seeker.{{Cite web |last=Hawker |first=Dianne |date=2023-12-28 |title=From refugee rights to tax record transparency, the Constitutional Court had a busy year — here are some significant judgments |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-12-28-the-constitutional-court-had-a-busy-year-some-significant-rulings/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}

Maya was a founding member of the South African chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) in 2002. She served as the chapter's deputy president from 2008 to 2010 and as its president from 2018 to 2023. She was later elected as IAWJ's regional director for West and Southern Africa in 2021,{{Cite web |date=2021-06-09 |title=Justice Maya elected Regional Director for West and Southern Africa of the International Association of Women Judges |url=https://www.derebus.org.za/justice-maya-elected-regional-director-for-west-and-southern-africa-of-the-international-association-of-women-judges/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=De Rebus |language=en-US}} and as its vice president in 2023.

Maya was awarded honorary LLDs by Nelson Mandela University in 2018, Walter Sisulu University in 2019, and the University of Fort Hare in 2020. In July 2021, she was appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-26 |title=Justice Mandisa Maya is the new Chancellor of UMP |url=https://mg.co.za/special-reports/2021-07-26-justice-mandisa-maya-is-the-new-chancellor-of-ump/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}

Maya is married to Dabulamanzi Mlokoti, a businessman from Johannesburg, and has three children. Her daughter, Wela Mlokoti, clerked on the Constitutional Court in Chris Jafta's chambers and rose to public prominence for lodging a disciplinary complaint against Judge Fayeeza Kathree-Setiloane, who was acting in the Constitutional Court at the time.{{Cite web |last=Rabkin |first=Franny |date=2019-04-05 |title=Constitutional Court interviews turn he-said-she-said |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2019-04-05-00-constitutional-court-interviews-turn-he-said-she-said/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |date=15 July 2022 |title=High court judge should apologise to clerk for wrongly implying mistake |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/news/2022-07-15-high-court-judge-should-apologise-to-clerk-for-wrongly-implying-mistake/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Sunday Times |language=en-ZA}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [https://www.judgesmatter.co.za/interviews/judge-mandisa-maya/ Justice Mandisa Maya] at Judges Matter
• [https://www.concourt.org.za/index.php/judges/acting-judges/12-acting-judges/197-justice-maya-mandisa-muriel-lindelwa Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya] at Constitutional Court
• [https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/index.php/judges/judges-of-the-supreme-court-of-appeal/9-judges/maya-mandisa-muriel-lindelwa Mandisa Muriel Lindelwa Maya] at Supreme Court of Appeal
• [https://www.judgesmatter.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DCJ-SUBMISSION-MAY-2022-FINAL.pdf Report] by the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit

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Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century South African lawyers

Category:20th-century South African women lawyers

Category:21st-century South African judges

Category:21st-century South African women judges

Category:Constitutional court women judges

Category:People from Mhlontlo Local Municipality

Category:Judges of the Constitutional Court of South Africa

Category:Judges of the Eastern Cape High Court

Category:Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal (South Africa)

Category:University of Natal alumni

Category:Walter Sisulu University alumni

Category:Duke University School of Law alumni

Category:Chancellors of the University of Mpumalanga

Category:People from the Eastern Cape

Category:Xhosa people