John Steenhuisen
John Steenhuisen is a South African politician who serves as leader of the Democratic Alliance, the country's official opposition party. He is a member of the National Assembly and has held his leadership position since November 2020, having previously served as interim leader following Mmusi Maimane's resignation in October 2019. Steenhuisen was born in Durban and began his political career in local government in KwaZulu-Natal, serving as a councillor in the eThekwini municipality before entering the National Assembly in 2009. He rose through the Democratic Alliance ranks, holding positions including chief whip of the opposition, a role in which he became known for his combative parliamentary style and scrutiny of government policy. His leadership has focused on positioning the Democratic Alliance as a credible alternative government, emphasising economic growth, anti-corruption measures and service delivery. Steenhuisen has been a vocal critic of the African National Congress government on issues ranging from state capture and loadshedding to land reform and agricultural policy. In May 2024, following national elections, he played a central role in negotiating the Democratic Alliance's participation in the Government of National Unity alongside the African National Congress and other parties. He recurs in business and agricultural coverage through his party's policy positions on economic reform, property rights, regulatory frameworks and sectoral challenges. Steenhuisen's political trajectory reflects the evolving dynamics of South African opposition politics in the post-apartheid era.
John Steenhuisen Updates
Daily Podcast – June 18, 2026
By: Halima Frost 18th June 2026 Making headlines: Impeachment committee opposes Ramaphosa’s interdict; ANC slams DA’s proposed GNU reshuffle as ‘populist, contradictory’; And,... →
ANC slams DA’s proposed GNU reshuffle as ‘populist, contradictory’ 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 18th June 2026 The ANC on Thursday launched a scathing attack on its coalition partner the DA, claiming its recent Cabinet reshuffle proposals expose “deep... →
Daily Podcast – June 17, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 17th June 2026 Making headlines: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister; Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests; And, EU supports... →
AfriForum welcomes decision to cut short Steenhuisen’s term
17th June 2026 AfriForum welcomes the decision to cut short John Steenhuisen’s term as Minister of Agriculture. The civil rights organisation is optimistic that... →
DA reshuffles GNU team: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister
By: Thabi Shomolekae 17th June 2026 DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa remove John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture, in a... →
Changes to DA representation in the Government of National Unity
17th June 2026 Following a careful assessment of the DA’s team in the Government of National Unity, I have written to President Ramaphosa setting out several... →
Foot-and-mouth disease: Farmers’ pleas cannot be dismissed – AfriForum
10th June 2026 A leaked email in which a plea for help regarding the foot-and-mouth disease crisis was dismissed as a joke by the Chief of Staff of the Minister... →
DA requests IEC investigation over ANC-Russia ‘disinformation network’
By: Thabi Shomolekae 4th June 2026 The DA has formally requested that the Independent Electoral Commission launch an immediate investigation into ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula... →
Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources expresses concern over foot-and-mouth disease response
3rd June 2026 The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources has expressed serious concern about the North West province’s response to... →
Minister Steenhuisen calls on provinces to speed up vaccinations as millions more foot and mouth disease vaccines arrive
25th May 2026 With the arrival of the 3.5 million doses, South Africa will have successfully secured and imported a total of 13.5 million vaccine doses before... →
