John Steenhuisen announced he will not seek re-election as DA leader, stepping down after the party’s April elective conference to devote his remaining term to addressing the Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak as agriculture minister.

Steenhuisen has led the Democratic Alliance since 2019 and now serves as South Africa’s agriculture minister under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He describes the unity government as a major achievement and argues access to national power was essential to building a prosperous, fair, and successful country.

His departure comes amid internal tensions and past allegations of misusing party funds, though an internal investigation cleared him.

The DA is presenting a unified front amid internal controversies as it seeks to win back voters disillusioned with the ANC and its coalition governance.

The announcement was made at a packed press conference, introducing uncertainty about leadership transition and the party’s future direction.

Colleagues credit Steenhuisen with bringing the DA into national government in 2024 and strengthening the party, while others emphasize unity with key figures to build a new majority based on shared values.

Steenhuisen has argued the DA must evolve from an opposition party to a meaningful participant in governance and helped negotiate a government of national unity involving the DA, ANC and smaller parties.

He has steered the DA into the GNU since 2024 and faces scrutiny over the foot-and-mouth outbreak handling, the environment minister’s firing, and internal complaints.

Observers are watching the leadership transition closely as the DA plans for the coming months.

The move comes amid internal clashes, including public criticism from former DA finance chair Dion George.

The DA has a leadership conference scheduled for April ahead of local elections later this year.