South Africa’s DA Demotes Former Leader Steenhuisen in Cabinet Shake-Up Ahead of Elections

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance has removed former leader John Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister in a cabinet reshuffle ahead of local elections. He will be replaced by Willie Aucamp and moved to a deputy minister role. The party said the changes were part of efforts to improve performance and strengthen its role in the 10-party coalition government formed after the ANC lost its majority in 2024

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA), the country’s second-largest political party and a key member of the fragile coalition government, has removed former party leader John Steenhuisen from his cabinet position in a reshuffle carried out ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

The changes come at a politically sensitive time, as South Africa prepares for local elections in November, which are widely expected to serve as an important test of the coalition government formed in 2024. That coalition emerged after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades, following elections marked by widespread voter dissatisfaction over corruption allegations, economic struggles, and service delivery failures.

The DA’s decision forms part of a broader reassessment of its role and performance within the coalition arrangement. In a statement, the party said the reshuffle followed a careful evaluation of its representation in government and was aimed at strengthening its contribution to national governance. It also stressed that the changes were not arbitrary but part of an effort to improve effectiveness and accountability within its ministerial team.

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who became DA leader in April, reportedly requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister. This move signaled a shift in internal party leadership dynamics and an effort to restructure the DA’s presence within the coalition cabinet.

Under the reshuffle, Steenhuisen will be replaced as agriculture minister by Willie Aucamp, who currently serves as environment minister. Steenhuisen is expected to assume a new role as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, marking a significant change in his political responsibilities while keeping him within the national executive structure.

The Democratic Alliance stated that the revised cabinet lineup reflects its commitment to high performance standards, accountability in public office, and responsiveness to the needs of South Africans. It added that the new arrangement is intended to ensure that the party’s ministers contribute more effectively to governance in a coalition environment that requires constant negotiation and coordination among multiple parties.

The coalition government itself remains complex and delicate, consisting of 10 parties with differing political ideologies and priorities. Within this structure, the DA holds six cabinet positions, while the ANC retains 20, maintaining its status as the largest party in government despite losing its outright majority.

Founded in 2000 through the merger of three predominantly white liberal parties, the DA has built its identity around centre-right, pro-market policies and an emphasis on governance efficiency and anti-corruption. However, despite electoral gains in some urban areas, the party has continued to struggle with expanding its appeal beyond white and middle-class voters, particularly in reaching a broader segment of Black South Africans.

The latest reshuffle is widely seen as part of the DA’s attempt to strengthen its political standing ahead of the local elections while reinforcing its influence within the coalition government at a critical stage in South Africa’s evolving political landscape.