Leader of South Africa’s Second Largest Party Will Not Seek Re-election
17 minutes ago
By Khanyisile Ngcobo, Johannesburg
Source: Gallo via Getty Images
John Steenhuisen, the leader of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA), has announced that he will not seek re-election in April. This decision raises concerns about the stability of the coalition government, as the DA is South Africa’s second largest political party.
Background on John Steenhuisen
– Leadership Tenure: Steenhuisen has led the DA since 2019 and currently serves as the Minister of Agriculture in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government.
– Political History: His political journey began at 22, when he was elected to the council of Durban for the Democratic Party, the precursor to the DA. Over two decades, he climbed the ranks from local to regional leadership, eventually becoming the party’s leader.
Significant Developments
– Coalition Dynamics: The DA entered a coalition with the African National Congress (ANC) in 2024 after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority. This historic partnership marked a major shift in the country, as the ANC has been a dominant force since the end of apartheid in 1994.
– Controversies Surrounding His Leadership: Although Steenhuisen was expected to run unopposed at the upcoming DA conference, various controversies influenced his decision not to pursue re-election. Key issues include:
– A fallout with a senior DA member, ex-Environment Affairs Minister Dion George.
– Allegations, which he was cleared of in January, regarding the misuse of a party credit card.
– Criticism of his management of the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, with accusations that his department has been an obstacle in a crisis.
The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis
Steenhuisen emphasized his intention to focus on tackling the most severe foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that South Africa has ever experienced. The crisis has wreaked havoc across many provinces, severely impacting the livestock industry, leading to:
– Blisters in animals’ mouths and hooves, causing lameness and feeding difficulties.
– Significant reductions in milk yields from affected dairy cattle.
Conclusion
John Steenhuisen’s decision not to seek re-election as leader of South Africa’s second largest party presents a pivotal moment for the Democratic Alliance and its coalition partnership with the ANC. As he dedicates himself to overcoming the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the future of both the DA and South Africa’s political landscape remains uncertain.