Steenhuisen’s ministerial future could hinge on new DA leader

Dr Theo Venter, political commentator, toldFarmer’s Weeklythat the decision over which DA member is appointed as a minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU) lies with the DA party leadership. “After April, once the DA has elected a new leader, Steenhuisen’s position and likely those of all DA members in Cabinet will be reconsidered,” he added. “The DA has a number of Cabinet portfolios, and it is up to the party leadership to decide who occupies which position.

But Steenhuisen’s position as Minister of Agriculture will remain unchanged until at least the end of April.” Farmer’s Weeklyreportsthat according to Venter, this will leave the agriculture sector in a holding pattern until April, adding that it would be a pity if Steenhuisen were to be replaced at this stage of his tenure. “Steenhuisen inherited the foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] epidemic at its very worst. It was already raging when he became minister, and it has now reached COVID-19 status.

He explained that tension around Steenhuisen’s position in the DA has been rising ever since the replacement of DA Minister of Environmental Affairs Dr Dion George with Willie Aucamp in November 2024, which led George to claim that Aucamp was aligned with canned hunting interests. George, who was the DA’s federal finance chairperson until his resignation from the party last month, also publicly alleged that Steenhuisen had abused his DA credit card for meal purchases, which prompted an internal party investigation into both Steenhuisen and George. Venter believes this decision by the party’s federal council may have left Steenhuisen with no choice but to withdraw from the leadership race.

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“The agriculture sector likely expected [Steenhuisen] to accomplish much more much faster, but if you are familiar with the civil service, you’ll know that nothing in government happens quickly. “Steenhuisen inherited staff who cannot simply be fired because they are not ideologically aligned with him or because they are not inclined to develop a good working relationship with him,” Venter added.

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