SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY tests of her leadership skills and tenacity. CONFIDENTLY many The SCA went through difficult period where of diversity were surfaced among her CARRYING THE issues colleagues on the bench. She decided to face head on by arranging DEI workshops to HOPES OF MANY this address those sensitivities. These were handled safe space where all views FOR EQUITY AND inwerea psychologically welcome, and a plan of action put in place. SOCIAL JUSTICE She displayed decisiveness, bravery and
Justice Mandisa Maya
Being born in a country like South Africa, where contrasting inequalities and related trauma, are a reality should make every citizen an activist for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), where leaders strive to create an equitable society characterised by fairness and social justice. Justice Mandisa Maya’s life journey is a depiction of such activism. Never the one to bask in the comfort of her achievements, as she ascended the ladder of success in her career, Justice Maya has used her various positions and influence in society to advance those who have not reached their potential, due to artificial barriers of discrimination and exclusion. Justice Maya is the first female Deputy Chief Justice for South Africa. She is also the first female jurist to serve as Deputy President and President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). As the president of the SCA, she faced
inclusive leadership during those sessions. Opening oneself to hold courageous conversations as a leader of any team means being willing and ready to have your leadership style scrutinised and challenged by colleagues. Her success was found in her ability to ‘hold up the mirror’ and do her inner work on effective leadership and bias before pointing fingers at others.
“I’m not good because I’m a woman, I’m just a good woman judge” - this is how Justice Maya responded when asked if South Africa was ready for a female head of judiciary, echoing the frustration of many women that this question was being raised at all. After all, as a judge, Justice Maya is aware of how unconscious bias and prejudice can have a negative impact on management decisions, including judgments. Thus, to hear such blatant bias prompted her sharp response. Social media was abuzz with her statement, and she was quoted repeatedly in many circles. To Justice Maya, this was an appropriate response to her ongoing work on equality and justice for all and especially women.
“
“I’M NOT GOOD BECAUSE I’M A WOMAN, I’M JUST A GOOD WOMAN JUDGE.”
DEI in the Global South | Edition 1
10
