Steenhuisen's cabinet post now in doubt

OUTGOING DA leader John Steenhuisen’s decision not to stand for re-election as party leader has left his position as a cabinet minister increasingly uncertain. 

That is the view of several political analysts after Steenhuisen announced on Wednesday that he would step aside when the DA goes to its elective conference in April.

He wants to focus his energy on his role as Minister of Agriculture and on tackling South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. 

“For the rest of this term of office, I will focus all my time and energy as Minister of Agriculture on defeating the most devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak our country has ever seen, and to pursue mass vaccination to ensure that this is the last mass outbreak of FMD our country ever sees. After leading the DA into the GNU, my next chapter must be to eradicate this devastating disease from our shores once and for all. That is not a part-time job,” he said. 

However, relinquishing the party’s top post weakens his standing within the Government of National Unity (GNU), according to North-West University political analyst Professor Kedibone Phago from North-West University. 

Phago said Steenhuisen’s explanation does not add up and has, in fact, made his future in government precarious.

“Stepping down as DA leader in order to focus on being a minister actually weakens his position. Without control over the party, he won’t have influence over who serves in government and can easily be reshuffled.”

Phago said recent public briefings suggested Steenhuisen was already operating within tight political constraints, adding that similar pressure could see him sidelined once a new DA leader is elected.

“He was given a script to stick to and was ultimately pushed,” Phago said. “The same thing is likely to happen after April.”

Steenhuisen’s survival in cabinet may depend on who succeeds him as DA leader. Phago believes Steenhuisen’s chances improve significantly if Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who already holds executive power, emerges victorious.

“But if it goes to someone without a government position, he will be embattled and I don’t see him completing his term.”

Steenhuisen framed his decision as the natural conclusion of his leadership journey. He said he had fulfilled the mandate he was given when he took over the party in 2019, at a time when the DA was facing declining support and internal instability.

Another political analyst, Dr Levy Ndou, shared similar views, arguing that South Africa’s political culture makes it difficult for non-party leaders to retain senior government positions.

“I don’t see him remaining a minister if he is no longer part of the top leadership,” Ndou said. 

“In South African politics, cabinet positions are typically reserved for party leaders. If Steenhuisen stays on, the DA would be doing something we have not seen before.”

Speaking to news channel Newzroom Afrika,  former DA  leader Tony Leon backed  Hill-Lewis’s leadership, saying: “I have known Geordin since he was a schoolboy and I rate his political talents, his actual human talents very highly. I think he is remarkable, and I am sure he would be a very effective leader of this party, in fact, of movements not just confined to the political arena. He has an unusual, I think very appropriate skills set.” 

Additional reporting by Jonisayi Maromo