President Cyril Ramaphosa nominated Maya for the position earlier this year.

The commission held open interviews with Maya on Monday.

Mandisa told the commission members that South Africa has a long way to go to achieve gender transformation.

"All I want to say is that, of course, we respect the president's prerogative in making the appointments that he does, but there are constitutional imperatives that still need to be observed.""

READ: Ministers, road freight sector reveal plan to prevent truck blockades

"South Africa, very disappointingly, with all the fancy laws, remains far behind many countries even in the continent in so far as diversifying the judiciary is concerned. It is worse when it comes to putting women in leadership positions.

"This body has an opportunity today to change this dismal picture, at least as so far as this one vacancy is concerned. South Africa has never had a woman in its highest echelons.

"I am the furthest as the president of SCA that women have come close smelling what it is just being in charge of an institution and be given an equal opportunity as male counterpart to show your skills," she said.