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 faced intense criticism from farmers over his failure to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
“But the 49-year-old has faced intense criticism from farmers over his failure to contain the foot-and-mouth disease, which has devastated South Africa's livestock industry.”
How the tide turned against the leader of South Africa's second-biggest partyThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen will not seek re-election as DA leader for third term
“The party's elective congress has been brought to the forefront with the announcement by DA leader John Steenhuisen that he would not seek re-election for a third term.”
Dean Macpherson says Steenhuisen would have won DA election but ‘put the country first’The Namibian
John Steenhuisen announced he will not seek re-election as Democratic Alliance leader
“DA leader John Steenhiusen speaks at a press conference at the Riverside Hotel in Durban, on 4 February, where he announced he will not seek re-election for the post.”
How Steenhuisen broke the DA’s key rule and the difficult job ahead for his successorThe Namibian
Steenhuisen asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Dion George as environment minister
“But his decision to ask President Cyril Ramaphosa to then remove George as environment minister, for reasons still not fully explained, gave this much more power.”
How Steenhuisen broke the DA’s key rule and the difficult job ahead for his successorThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen is believed to be permitted to frame his non-candidacy decision on his own terms
“This is one of the concessions Steenhuisen is believed to be permitted in order to forestall the possibility of ongoing internal wrangling and uncertainty over the leadership race which could be ruinous for the DA in a local election year, DA insiders told Daily Maverick on Tuesday.”
Behind the scenes of Steenhuisen’s dealmaking with the DAThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen will be permitted to keep his ministerial post in the GNU in exchange for not seeking re-election
“As Daily Maverick reported earlier on Tuesday, party sources say Steenhuisen will be permitted to keep his ministerial post in the GNU in exchange for agreeing not to seek re-election at the party's electoral congress in April.”
Behind the scenes of Steenhuisen’s dealmaking with the DAThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen faced charges of bringing the DA into disrepute and alleged recruitment of Greg Mills as personal advisor
“Although the FLC cleared Steenhuisen of the allegation that he had misappropriated funds through his use of his DA credit card in January, he faced additional charges which were never publicly specified beyond "bringing the party into disrepute".”
Behind the scenes of Steenhuisen’s dealmaking with the DAThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen is set to announce he will not be available to contest in the DA's leadership race
“Reports are emerging that Democratic Alliance (DA) federal leader John Steenhuisen is set to announce that he will not be available to contest in the party's leadership race.”
John Steenhuisen to withdraw from DA's leadership raceThe Namibian
John Steenhuisen was accused by Dion George of credit card abuse for personal expenses credit card abuse for personal expenses
“George has accused Steenhuisen of abusing a party-issued credit card for personal expenses, including fancy hotel stays, car rentals, and household items like Uber Eats.”
DA battles internal fractures amid Zille's influence and GNU challengesThe Namibian
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen will jet off to Asia and the Middle East to bolster new markets
“Trade Minister Parks Tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, along with new trade attachés and negotiating teams, will jet off to Asia and the Middle East to bolster new markets primarily for SA's fruit exports and motor cars – the casualties of the sky-high US tariffs.”
Parks Tau’s ‘Plan A’ turns to new markets to outrun Trump’s trade warDemocratic 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 →