DA Leader Requests Cabinet Change
The leader of South Africa's second largest party within the governing coalition has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss his predecessor, a prominent figure in the nation's political landscape.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, who assumed leadership of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in April, has called for John Steenhuisen, the party's long-time leader, to be replaced as agriculture minister. This request accompanies proposals for significant adjustments to the DA's representation in the government.
The DA currently holds six cabinet positions under Ramaphosa's administration, with additional members serving as deputy ministers. This arrangement follows the 2024 general elections, in which no party achieved a parliamentary majority.
Context and Reasons for the Request
President Ramaphosa has not yet responded to Hill-Lewis's request, though it is considered unlikely that he will reject it.
Hill-Lewis has not publicly detailed the reasons behind his call for change. However, widespread speculation links it to Steenhuisen's management of the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa, which severely impacted the country's livestock sector.
Steenhuisen has faced considerable criticism from farming communities for perceived inadequacies in controlling the outbreak.
In an official statement, Hill-Lewis proposed Willie Aucamp as the new agriculture minister, assigning him an
"immediate mandate... to resolve on-going legal proceedings relating"to the outbreak.
Steenhuisen's Political Challenges
Steenhuisen has also been embroiled in a financial scandal, a factor contributing to his decision not to seek re-election as DA leader.
He has since been nominated for the role of deputy minister for trade and industry, which represents a notable demotion from his previous cabinet position.
Hill-Lewis's swift move to review and alter DA appointments aligns with his earlier remarks following his ascension to party leadership. At that time, he stated he would
"review the performance"of DA representatives and make changes if deemed necessary.
He emphasized,
"No-one is entitled to any office or position,"underscoring the merit-based approach he intends to apply.
Steenhuisen's Political Career
John Steenhuisen, aged 50, has been a significant figure within the DA since 2014, when he was appointed parliamentary leader of the party. His trajectory continued upward in 2019 when he succeeded Mmusi Maimane, the DA's first black leader, as party head.
He was re-elected in 2023 and was expected to run unopposed for a third term until political pressures led him to withdraw his candidacy.
During his tenure, Steenhuisen guided the DA—a party known for its pro-business stance and critical views of Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC)—into a coalition with its traditional rival.
He notably supported Ramaphosa during a contentious encounter with then US President Donald Trump at the White House last year. When Trump confronted the South African delegation with a video promoting discredited claims of a white genocide in South Africa, Steenhuisen reassured the US president that most white farmers intended to remain in the country.
Additional Proposed Changes
Hill-Lewis has also announced other proposed changes within the DA's government representation, though specific details beyond the agriculture ministry have not been disclosed publicly.
Additional reporting by Nobuhle Simelane.
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