… Last month, the leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen, announced that his party had withdrawn its support for the National Dialogue, citing Ramaphosa’s failure to act against officials accused of corruption, some of whom were members of the Cabinet. …
National Dialogue will be meaningless without honest leaders, warns MbekiNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Person
John Steenhuisen
Also known as: Steenhuisen
John Steenhuisen — leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance who also served as agriculture minister, stepping down from party leadership amid scandals including foot-and-mouth disease mishandling.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- July 2025
World & Region
South Africa's DA party elects young new leader to broaden appeal
The News
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 →
Wednesday 15 April
South Africa's DA party elects young new leader to broaden appeal
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 →
Thursday 19 March
Russian agents conducted covert operations in South Africa elections
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 →
Sunday 22 February
South Africa receives first FMD vaccine shipment for livestock protection
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 →
Tuesday 17 February
South Africa's DA leader Steenhuisen steps down amid scandals
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 →
Friday 6 February
DA prepares leadership contest as Steenhuisen steps down
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 →
Thursday 5 February
Steenhuisen's exit highlights DA's tough leadership challenge
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 →
Wednesday 4 February
South African DA leader pressured to step down from party role
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 →
Tuesday 3 February
South Africa's DA leader Steenhuisen withdraws from party race
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 →
Sunday 25 January
South Africa's DA party fractures over leadership, GNU role, Zille influence
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 →