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John Steenhuisen

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The Honourable
John Steenhuisen
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Minister of Agriculture
Incumbent
Assumed office
3 July 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputyRosemary Capa
Preceded byOffice established
20thLeader of the Opposition
In office
27 October 2019 – 14 June 2024
ChairIvan Meyer
Preceded byAnnelie Lotriet(acting)
Mmusi Maimane
Succeeded byJohn Hlophe
Federal Leader of theDemocratic Alliance
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 November 2020
Interim: 17 November 2019 – 1 November 2020
DeputyJacques Julius
Mike Waters
Preceded byMmusi Maimane
Chief Whip of the Official Opposition
In office
29 May 2014 – 24 October 2019
LeaderMmusi Maimane
Preceded byWatty Watson
Succeeded byJacques Julius (acting)
Natasha Mazzone
Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In office
1 February 2012 – 6 May 2014
LeaderLindiwe Mazibuko
Succeeded byWillem Doman
ConstituencyKwaZulu-Natal
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 July 2011
Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
In office
6 May 2009 – 19 July 2011
Personal details
Born
John Henry Steenhuisen

(1976-03-25)25 March 1976(age 48)
Durban,Natal,South Africa
Political partyDemocratic Alliance(2000–present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Party(until 2000)
Spouses
Julie Wright
​
​
(m.2000;div.2010)​
Terry Beaumont
​
(m.2014)​
EducationNorthwood Boys High School
Occupation
  • Politician

John Henry Steenhuisen(/ˈstiːnhaɪzən/STEE-n-hy-zən,Afrikaans:[ˈjɔɦnˈstiənˌɦœysən];born 25 March 1976) is a South African politician who is currently serving asMinister of Agriculturesince June 2024. He has been the leader of theDemocratic Alliance(DA) since November 2020, having served as the interim leader for one year from November 2019. He served as the twentiethleader of the Oppositionfrom October 2019 to June 2024. Pursuant to the2024 South African general election,he was appointed to thethird cabinet of Cyril Ramaphosawhen the DA joined theGovernment of National Unity(GNU).[1]

Born inDurban,he matriculated fromNorthwood Boys' High School.Steenhuisen joined theDemocratic Partyand was elected to the Durban City Council in 1999 as the councillor forDurban North.In 2000, theDemocratic Alliancewas formed, and he was elected as a councillor of the newly formedeThekwini Metropolitan Municipalityin that year's municipal election. He was appointed as the DA's caucus leader in 2006.

After the 2009 elections, he became a member of theKwaZulu-Natal Legislatureand was appointed the DA's caucus leader. Soon after, Steenhuisen was elected as the party's KwaZulu-Natal provincial leader, a position he held until he resigned in October 2010, amid an extramarital affair. He joined theNational Assemblyin July 2011, and he became the Shadow Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in February 2012 following his appointment byLindiwe Mazibuko.

In 2014, Steenhuisen was appointed Chief Whip of the Official Opposition byMmusi Maimane,the newly elected DA Parliamentary Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition. He served as Chief Whip until October 2019, when Maimane resigned as the official opposition leader and party leader. Shortly afterwards, Steenhuisen was elected unopposed to replace him as the Leader of the Opposition. In November 2019, he was elected interim leader of the DA, after he defeatedMakashule Gana,a DA MPL inGauteng.A year later, he was elected leader for a full term at theparty's Federal Congress,defeatingMbali Ntuli,a DA MPL fromKwaZulu-Natal.He was re-elected to another term as party leader on 2 April 2023. In the2024 general election,the DA won 87 seats. As the ANC was denied a majority, the two parties and several smaller parties formed anational unity government,resulting withCyril Ramaphosabeing re-electedPresident of South Africa.Steenhuisen was subsequently appointed Minister of Agriculture on 3 July 2024.

Early life and education

[edit]

Steenhuisen was born inDurbanand matriculated fromNorthwood Boys' High School,an English-medium,ex-Model Chigh school in Durban in 1993.[2]He does not have a university degree.[3]He once toldParliamentthat he had enrolled for a bachelor's degree in politics and law at theUniversity of South Africain 1994, but he could not finish the course due to work and financial circumstances.[4][5]

Political career

[edit]

Steenhuisen started as an ordinaryDemocratic Party(predecessor to theDemocratic Alliance) activist before he became a branch member.[6]

Winston Rabotapiand Steenhuisen in 2011

At the age of 22 in 1999, Steenhuisen was elected to the then Durban City Council as the DP councillor forDurban North.He was the youngest municipal councillor at that time. At the2000 municipal election,theeThekwini Metropolitan Municipalitywas formed and Steenhuisen was elected as a councillor for the newly established DA. He continued to serve as an ordinary councillor until his appointment as the DA's caucus leader in 2006. In that same year, he was assigned to serve on the city's Executive Committee.[7][6]

Steenhuisen was elected to theKwaZulu-Natal Legislaturein the2009 general election.The incoming DA caucus elected him as leader, replacing party veteran, Roger Burrows.[8]At the inaugural sitting, he challengedZweli Mkhizeof theAfrican National Congressfor the post of premier, but lost after he received 7 votes compared to Mkhize's 68 votes.[9]

He was elected as the KwaZulu-Natal provincial leader of the Democratic Alliance at the party's Provincial Congress held later that same year. Steenhuisen held this position until 24 October 2010, after he announced on 18 October his intention to resign amid the disclosure of anextramarital affair.Steenhuisen continued to serve as an MPL and the DA's caucus leader until his move to the National Assembly.[6][10][11]

Steenhuisen (left),James Selfe(centre) andMmusi Maimanebeing sworn in on 22 May 2019

Steenhuisen joined the National Assembly on 19 July 2011 by replacingMark Steele,a DA MP who, in turn, assumed Steenhuisen's seat in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.[6]In February 2012, Steenhuisen was appointed byLindiwe Mazibukoas Shadow Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.[12]He is currently a member of the Rules Committee. He had previously served as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management.[13]

In 2012, he declared his candidacy for deputy chairperson of the DAFederal Council.[14]He lost toThomas Waltersat the party's Federal Congress.[15]

Steenhuisen was appointed as chief whip of the DA parliamentary caucus byMmusi Maimaneon 29 May 2014.[16]He was reappointed to the post in May 2019.[17]

Leadership of the Democratic Alliance

[edit]

Leadership elections

[edit]

2019 Interim leadership elections

[edit]

Mmusi Maimaneresigned as both Federal Leader and Parliamentary Leader of the DA in October 2019, causing Steenhuisen to lose the position of chief whip. Steenhuisen's deputy,Jacques Julius,then served as acting chief whip.[18]Steenhuisen declared his candidacy to succeed Maimane as parliamentary leader and was elected unopposed on 27 October 2019.[19][20]He formally announced on 28 October that he would run for federal leader of the party.[21][22]He was elected interim leader of the party on 17 November, defeating Gauteng MPLMakashule Gana.[23]

2020 Federal Congress

[edit]
Main article:2020 Democratic Alliance Federal Congress

On 15 February 2020, he declared his intention to seek a full-term as Federal Leader of the DA at the Hellenic Community Centre inMouille Point,Cape Town.[24][25][26]The party was scheduled to elect its new leadership at itsFederal Congressin May 2020 but this was postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[27]Consequently, Steenhuisen suspended all campaign activities.[28]

In May 2020, the DA's Federal Council, the second-highest decision-making body, resolved to hold the conference virtually between 31 October and 1 November,[29]a move which some critics denounced as being favourable to Steenhuisen's campaign, as he has a public profile and access to party structures, giving him an advantage.[30]He faced KwaZulu-Natal MPLMbali Ntulifor the position. As the campaign progressed, he received endorsements from prominent party members, including Western Cape provincial leaderBonginkosi Madikizelaand interim federal chairpersonIvan Meyer.[31]On 1 November 2020, Steenhuisen was announced as the new leader of the party.[32]

2023 Federal Congress

[edit]

On 1 November 2022, Steenhuisen announced his intention to seek re-election at the DA's Federal Congress in 2023.[33]Steenhuisen launched his campaign for re-election on 19 November in Cape Town.[34]He told supporters that while things had improved in the DA, there were still challenges. Steenhuisen also conceded that coalitions were difficult to manage as the party governs four out of the eight metropolitan municipalities and multiple municipalities across the country through coalition governments.[35]Despite the party's ongoing exodus of black leaders and Federal Council ChairpersonHelen Zille's strong influence in decision-making, Steenhuisen was considered by political analysts to easily win re-election at the Federal Congress.[36]At the party's Federal Congress on 2 April 2023, it was announced that Steenhuisen had won a second term as party leader, defeating former Johannesburg mayorMpho Phalatse.[37]

Tenure

[edit]

2021 municipal elections

[edit]
See also:2021 South African municipal elections

Steenhuisen led the Democratic Alliance into the 2021 national municipal elections. He said in an interview withNews24in September 2021: "The DA's core message in this election is not about the ANC. It's about the DA. We are going to be talking with South Africans about what we have to offer. Not just a critique of the ANC, but say, 'The DA gets things done'."[38]On 25 September 2021, Steenhuisen released the DA's election manifesto.[39]He said that the manifesto was a blueprint for “a local government that works".[40]

Throughout the campaign, Steenhuisen warned that voting for smaller parties could aid and abet the ANC and EFF and said that some smaller parties were not interested in taking on the ANC, only the DA.[41][42]TheInkatha Freedom Party(IFP) called the DA 'arrogant' over its election messages which discouraged voters from voting for smaller political parties.[43]In early-October 2021, the DA put up controversial election placards in the majority Indian suburb ofPhoenix in KwaZulu-Natalwhich read: "The ANC called you racists. The DA called you heroes." During the riots and looting that affected the province in July 2021, residents of Phoenix formed armed citizen vigilantes to protect the community due to the lack of police response. Violent clashes occurred between residents and black people from close townships likeInandaresulted in the deaths of 36 people and increased racial tensions between Black and Indian South Africans. The posters were denounced by several political parties and the DA was accused of exploiting fear and deepening divisions for electoral gain.[44]Steenhuisen defended the posters and said that the party would not apologise for putting them up.[45][46]The party later apologised for the posters and began removing them.[47][48]

In the municipal elections of 1 November 2021, the DA's electoral support declined. The party had won 1,396 municipal seats, outright control of 11 municipalities and was the leading party in 23 municipalities. The party had lost 386 seats and outright control of 8 municipalities.[49]Despite the party's decline, the party did win control of theuMngeni Local Municipalityin KwaZulu-Natal, making it the first DA-run municipality in the province.[50]In several municipalities and large metropolitan municipalities, no party won an outright majority.[51]The party then held coalition discussions withActionSA,theFreedom Front Plus,theAfrican Christian Democratic Partyand several other political parties.[52]Coalition talks nearly collapsed after the party refused to vote forHerman Mashaba,former DA mayor of Johannesburg and ActionSA president, to become mayor of Johannesburg again.[53]On 22 November 2021, the DA gained back control of theCity of Johannesburgand gained control of theCity of Ekurhulenifor the first time after ActionSA president Mashaba convinced the Economic Freedom Fighters leadership to vote for the DA mayoral candidates.[54]Coalition talks then resumed and the DA and its coalition partners signed an agreement to govern several municipalities on 16 December 2021.[55]

Internal party affairs

[edit]

In the early days of Steenhuisen's leadership, he appointedNatasha Mazzoneas the new chief whip of the DA parliamentary caucus on 31 October 2019.[56]The party lost control of theCity of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipalityin December 2019.[57]In August 2016, then-DA leader Maimane formed an informal alliance with theEconomic Freedom Fightersto secure control of several hung municipalities, including Johannesburg withHerman Mashabaof the DA as the city's mayor.[58]Mashaba resigned as mayor in October 2019 and left office in November.[59]A vacancy was therefore created. DA Federal Council ChairwomanHelen Zilleand Steenhuisen both opposed a coalition agreement with the EFF.[60]On 4 December, the ANC regained control of the City of Johannesburg.[61]Previous DA coalition partners and a few DA councillors voted for the ANC candidate,Geoff Makhubo.[62]

On 5 December 2020, Steenhuisen announced hisShadow Cabinet.[63]The majority of the positions remained unchanged, withGeordin Hill-Lewisremaining at Finance,Andrew Whitfieldat Police andSiviwe Gwarubeat Health. He removedPhumzile van Dammeas Shadow Minister of Communications and replaced her withZakhele Mbhele.He also granted Van Damme a health-related sabbatical until March 2021.[64]She subsequently accused Steenhuisen of trying to use her health sideline her. It was claimed that she was being sidelined because she had not supported Steenhuisen candidature as leader of the party[65]The DA disputed Van Damme's accusation, but she vehemently insisted that Steenhuisen had instructed her to cease all her parliamentary duties and go on an unsolicited sabbatical.[66][67][68][69][70]Steenhuisen then claimed he had made the sabbatical optional and Van Damme could continue with her parliamentary duties.[70][71][72][73]On 12 February 2021, Van Damme announced that her disagreement with Steenhuisen regarding her sabbatical had been resolved and she would return to work, focusing on digital technologies.[74][75]She later resigned as a DA MP in May 2021, citing a clique of individuals.

On 18 August 2022, Steenhuisen conducted a reshuffle of his shadow cabinet. He promoted the deputy chief whip of the DA parliamentary caucus Siviwe Gwarube to chief whip of the DA caucus, while former chief whipNatasha Mazzonewas appointed the National Security Advisor to Steenhuisen. Veteran DA MPDianne Kohler Barnardwas appointed Shadow Minister of Communications, whilePhineas Masipawas appointed Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.Solly Malatsihad been re-appointed by Steenhuisen as the party spokesperson after he resigned back in November 2020. Steenhuisen had been under pressure to remove Mazzone as chief whip by DA MPs. In April 2022,The Sunday Timesreported that several senior members of the DA caucus, including Steenhuisen himself, disapproved of Mazzone's performance.[76][77][78]

2022 visit to Ukraine

[edit]

In April 2022, John Steenhuisen went on a six-day 'fact-finding' trip to Ukraine.[79]His trip has been criticized, by many who said that he should focus on local South African issues.[80]In response, Steenhuisen stated that 'The criticism for visiting Ukraine is not fair and is immature'.[81]After initially declining to reveal the trip's funders, Steenhuisen later revealed that trip was funded by theBrenthurst Foundation.[82][83]Following the trip Steenhuisen held a brief press conference, which did not allow for questions from the press.[84]

COVID-19 pandemic

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the DA launched a coronavirus information channel.[85]On 8 May 2020, Steenhuisen delivered a speech in which he called for the national lockdown to be ended. Steenhuisen called the lockdown “destructive” and said, “there is no longer a justification to keep this hard lockdown in place.” He also said that the DA had written to theInternational Monetary Fundand filed aPAIAcomplaint to obtain the minutes of the National Command Council's decision to retain the tobacco ban.[86][87][88]

2024 general election

[edit]

The2024 general electionsaw the DA win 87 seats. Their chief rival, the ruling ANC, lost their majority for the first time in South Africa's democratic history.[89]Before the election in August 2023, the DA and several parties signed theMulti-Party Charter,which stipulated that no signatory would work with the ANC.[90]Steenhuisen said that the results showed that South Africa was "heading into coalition country" and expressed a willingness to work alongside the ANC, adding that he would have to first consult with other signatories of the Multi-Party Charter. The DA also said that a government composed of the ANC, the MK, and the EFF would be a "doomsday coalition" pursuing previous policy failures in the country.[91]

On 5 June, the ANC formally announced that it was seeking to create a national unity government.[92]On 13 June, the ANC announced that the DA and several other parties had agreed on the “fundamental” principle of forming the national unity government, with a framework to be disclosed on 14 June.[93]That day, Steenhuisen announced that the DA had entered into a coalition agreement with the ANC and provided its support forCyril Ramaphosa's reelection as president.[94]At Ramaphosa's inauguration, he said he would focus on the composition of thecabinetbefore considering a possible role as Deputy President.[95]

Minister of Agriculture

[edit]

Steenhuisen was appointed as theMinister of AgricultureinRamaphosa's cabineton 3 July 2024, as part of the coalition government. The DA received 6 out of 32 cabinet posts in the new government.[96]In his maiden speech as Minister delivered on 16 July, Steenhuisen promised to modernize the farming sector, which included introducing a track-and-trace system for livestock.[97]He also said he would continue projects started before the election and focus on sustainability for rural areas and food security.[98]Additionally, Steenhuisen said he would try to settle South Africa's citrus dispute with theEuropean Unionand maintain South Africa’s part in theUnited States'African Growth and Opportunity Act.[99]

Controversy

[edit]

In an August 2022 interview onPodcast and Chill,Steenhuisen compared his ex-wife to "roadkill".[100]After he was widely criticised for supposedly fuellingmisogyny,[101]he released a statement saying that his comment was intended as a lighthearted joke.[102][103]

In December 2023, the DA was accused by some of misusing party funds to promote Steenhuisen. This controversy led to internal strife within the party, with previous black DA leaders voicing their discontent with Steenhuisen's leadership and the party's direction.[104]

In 2024, theSABCbanned the DA's controversial flag burning advert after it had received widespread criticism on social media.[105]The SABC stated:

"Likewise, the SABC believes that the advert encourages damage of treasured national symbols. The national flag is a national symbol which represents diverse elements of the country and national unity. Additionally, it is expected that the national flag should be accorded with dignity and respect. Thus, the flag is not a representation of a political party but the nation at large."

In January 2024, he was criticised for his comments denouncing Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, and stated that "the wardens were drunkards who came from shebeens".[106]People were unhappy with his analogy and described it as degrading to the crime wardens. Some conceded the appointment of the crime wardens was simply "ill-informed", but said Steenhuisen was being "classist" and discriminatory against poor people who buy their clothes at Pep outlets.[107]

Political positions

[edit]

Steenhuisen is aconservative liberal.He is the leader of the DA'scentre-rightfaction.[108][109]Steenhuisen is an advocate forracial equality,anti-racismandanti-corruption.

Personal life

[edit]

He currently resides inuMhlanga,(an upmarket coastal town in KwaZulu Natal) and is a supporter of theSharksrugby unionteam and theAmaZulu F.C.soccerclub.[7]

Steenhuisen was married for 10 years to Julie Steenhuisen (née Wright), a fellow Durban native. They were divorced in October 2010 amid Steenhuisen's alleged affair with Terry Beaumont, the wife of the DA's former KwaZulu-Natal directorMichael Beaumont.[110]Steenhuisen has two daughters from his first marriage.[111]He is now married to Terry, and they have a daughter together.

He is fluent in bothEnglishandAfrikaans.[112][113][114][115]

References

[edit]
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[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by Federal Leader of theDemocratic Alliance
2019–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Oppositionin theNational Assembly of South Africa
2019–2024 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in theNational Assembly of South Africa
2014–2019 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Steenhuisen&oldid=1246399326"