Also known as: John Steenhiusen
Former leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance who stepped down as party leader in April 2026 and was subsequently demoted from agriculture minister to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
John Steenhuisen has been demoted to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition
“Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has demoted Steenhuisen to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition.”
Farmers cheer Steenhuisen’s exit from agricultureThe Namibian
Steenhuisen distanced himself from the leaked email, calling it in bad taste
“Steenhuisen has since distanced himself from the email, saying it was "in bad taste" and that he had asked Le Roux to apologise.”
Farmers cheer Steenhuisen’s exit from agricultureThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen said 58 million people across SADC member states face acute food insecurity
“"An estimated 58 million people across SADC member states still face acute food insecurity due to issues around access and affordability. This reality demands urgency from all of us," he said.”
SADC sounds alarm over looming region-wide hungerThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen called on SADC countries to urgently harmonise fertiliser regulations
“Steenhuisen called on SADC countries to urgently harmonise fertiliser regulations and fast-track a proposed agreement on the harmonisation of fertiliser regulatory frameworks to reduce production costs and improve regional trade.”
SADC sounds alarm over looming region-wide hungerWindhoek Observer
John Steenhuisen said regional cooperation remains essential in the fight against FMD
“South African agriculture minister John Steenhuisen said regional cooperation remains essential in the fight against the disease.”
LPO calls for united front against FMDInformanté
South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen described the agreement as a major step towards building a stronger regional biosecurity framework in Southern Africa
“South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen described the agreement as a major step towards building a stronger regional biosecurity framework in Southern Africa.”
Cross-border cooperation key to beating FMD, LPO saysThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen was succeeded as DA leader by Geordin Hill-Lewis on Sunday
“Geordin Hill-Lewis, who took over the reins of the party from John Steenhuisen on Sunday, must find a way to bridge the divides and appeal to the country's black majority.”
Can this man broaden the appeal of a South African party seen by some as ‘too white'?The Namibian
John Steenhuisen was targeted by Russian agents in disinformation campaign including racist mugs and website 'dumballiance.com'
“An order for racist mugs bearing the phrase "There is only one race on the race" was placed for the birthday of John Steenhuisen, then leader of the DA, a party that many opponents, observers and citizens have labelled the "white party".”
Russian agents pull strings in SAThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen officially received first shipment of one million FMD vaccines
“South Africa's minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has officially received the first shipment of one million high-potency foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines.”
First shipment of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines arrives in SAThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen announced he will step down as party leader
“This forced him to announce he will step down as party leader, opening the way for a potentially divisive contest between a black and white candidate to succeed him.”
How the tide turned against the leader of South Africa's second-biggest partyDemocratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has removed John Steenhuisen as South African agriculture minister and demoted him to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Willie Aucamp, a farmer, will replace Steenhuisen, with Hill-Lewis requesting several other cabinet shuffles in the DA's coalition government roles, pending Ramaphosa's approval.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has removed John Steenhuisen as South African agriculture minister and demoted him to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Willie Aucamp, a farmer, will replace Steenhuisen, with Hill-Lewis requesting several other cabinet shuffles in the DA's coalition government roles, pending Ramaphosa's approval.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Southern African Development Community has called for urgent regional action to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience, citing threats from global supply chain disruptions, climate change, and livestock diseases. SADC deputy executive secretary Angèle N'Tumba warned that worsening climate shocks and geopolitical conflicts—including the Middle East conflict disrupting fertiliser and fuel supplies—are placing millions at risk of hunger.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Livestock Producers' Organisation says no country can fight foot-and-mouth disease in isolation, warning that Namibia's internationally recognised FMD-free status requires cooperation between governments, veterinary authorities, farmers and regional partners. Maintaining the status is critical to protecting the livestock industry and international beef export market access.
1 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Livestock Producers' Organisation vice-chairperson has called for stronger regional cooperation among Southern African countries to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, arguing no country can successfully combat the disease in isolation. He stressed that Namibia's FMD-free status brings responsibility to support neighbouring countries facing outbreaks, noting that disease does not recognise borders.
30 May 2026 · Informanté →
Geordin Hill-Lewis, 39, has become leader of South Africa's second-largest Democratic Alliance party, tasked with extending its support beyond its predominantly white and minority voter base to the black majority who make up about 80% of the population. Hill-Lewis has acknowledged a "trust deficit" and says winning the trust of more black South Africans will be his main focus, supported by a more diverse and younger senior leadership team than his predecessors.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A data leak reviewed by Forbidden Stories reveals that Russian influence agents engaged in covert operations during South African election campaigns between 2019 and 2025, including secret meetings with ANC leadership, smear campaigns against opposition parties, and fabricated documents. The Company, a network run by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, allocated significant budgets for online disinformation campaigns and paid social media influencers to target political opponents.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's agriculture minister received the first shipment of one million foot-and-mouth disease vaccines from Argentina, marking the start of a 10-year national eradication strategy to vaccinate over 14 million cattle and regain export market access. President Ramaphosa declared FMD a national disaster and announced plans for a coordinated vaccination programme targeting 80% of the national herd by December, with additional vaccine supplies expected from multiple international and domestic sources.
22 February 2026 · The Namibian →
John Steenhuisen, leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance and agriculture minister in the coalition government, announced he will step down at the party's April congress following multiple scandals including poor handling of foot-and-mouth disease, personal financial mismanagement, and controversy over the sacking of Environment Minister Dion George. His departure opens the way for successors including Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
17 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen announced he will not seek re-election for a third term, stating his focus must shift to combating foot-and-mouth disease as agriculture minister. Minister Dean Macpherson praised Steenhuisen's decision as showing "remarkable political intuition and maturity," while potential successors including Macpherson and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis position themselves ahead of the party's April elective congress, with nominations opening on 27 February.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
John Steenhuisen's decision to step down as Democratic Alliance leader follows revelations about his personal credit card debt and the controversial removal of environment minister Dion George. The incoming leader must navigate questions about race, the party's electoral strategy, and its relationship with the ANC government—while protecting the DA's core claim to integrity that distinguishes it from other parties.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
John Steenhuisen, leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance, is being forced to announce he will not seek a third term as party leader, with the decision framed as his own choice to focus on his Agriculture minister portfolio. In exchange, he is permitted to retain his ministerial post, though party insiders say the decision was driven by internal pressure, an FLC investigation into his conduct, and concerns that his controversies—including credit card debt and perceived mishandling of a cattle crisis—could damage the party's prospects in upcoming local elections.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Reports indicate that Democratic Alliance federal leader John Steenhuisen will announce he will not contest in the party's leadership race at its April national federal congress, withdrawing from competition against Western Cape premier Alan Winde, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and communications minister Solly Malatsi.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Democratic Alliance is heading into a leadership contest marked by deep internal tensions over its participation in the Government of National Unity, the outsized influence of federal council chairperson Helen Zille, and broader questions of party identity and inclusivity. The departure of former MP Dion George—who accused the party of lacking transparency—has exposed a climate of fear and accusations that the DA practices internally the opposite of the values it preaches nationally.
25 January 2026 · The Namibian →