John Steenhuisen

John Steenhuisen

South Africa South AfricapoliticianMaleb. 19764.0Global Dominance: 0.01%

John Steenhuisen is a South African politician and the leader of the Democratic Alliance, a major opposition party. As an experienced member of Parliament, he has been vocal in debates concerning agricultural policy and crime, particularly in relation to the safety of farmers in rural areas. Recently, he criticized the disbandment of rural safety units, calling it a catastrophic mistake that left farmers vulnerable to violent crime.

Power5,645
Reach956,592

Country presence

Recent news mentions

The proposed removal of former DA leader John Steenhuisen as minister of agriculture has triggered anger and confusion.

Angst and anger as DA reshuffles
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-06-19
4.0

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen announced that he would not be contesting the position of party leader later this year.

Hill-Lewis throws hat in the ring to replace Steenhuisen – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-02-04
5.0
Also mentioned
Geordin Hill Lewis
Geordin Hill Lewis

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen is adamant that he was not forced into withdrawing from contesting for a third term as party leader.

“I don’t get forced to do anything,” says Steenhuisen – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-02-04
7.0

John Steenhuisen is stepping down as the leader of South Africa's second largest party, the DA.

DA leader John Steenhuisen to step down as leader of South Africa's second largest party
BBC·United KingdomUnited Kingdom· 2026-02-04
5.0
Also mentioned
Dion George
Dion George

DA leader John Steenhuisen says that if he had stood for election at the upcoming congress, he would have won hands down.

Steenhuisen speaks to the M&G about his future – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-02-04
7.0

John Steenhuisen is preparing to withdraw from the party’s leadership contest ahead of its federal congress in April 2026.

John Steenhuisen to withdraw from Democratic Alliance leadership race – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-02-03
5.0

John Steenhuisen is the current leader of the Democratic Alliance.

Gwarube eyes top DA post – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-01-22
6.0

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen acknowledged the severe impact of the disease on South Africa’s livestock sector since the country lost its FMD-free status in 2019.

New 10-year plan to combat foot-and-mouth disease – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-01-16
6.0

John Steenhuisen remains the party’s preferred candidate amidst a leadership dispute within the DA.

Inquiry delay could suggest DA plot – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-01-16
6.0

John Steenhuisen is the party leader of the Democratic Alliance with whom Dion George had a public fallout.

Dion George quits DA ahead of disciplinary hearing outcome – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2026-01-15
5.0

DA leader John Steenhuisen criticised the dismissal of Andrew Whitfield as unilateral.

Ramaphosa’s tumultuous 2025 – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-12-19
4.0

John Steenhuisen requested Ramaphosa to remove George in favour of Aucamp.

Ramaphosa appoints Willie Aucamp as environment minister – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-11-13
6.0

John Steenhuisen is the leader of the Democratic Alliance who is attempting to replace Dion George.

Civil society groups urge Ramaphosa to block DA plan to replace environment minister – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-11-12
3.0

John Steenhuisen is the leader of the Democratic Alliance party, who has requested the removal of Dion George from his position.

Finance, adaptation, technology and fair trade – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-11-10
4.0

John Steenhuisen stated that the DA would do whatever it takes to keep the MK party and the EFF out of government.

Zuma’s MK party plans to collapse KZN – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-10-31
4.0

John Steenhuisen is the leader of the Democratic Alliance who raised concerns about Ramaphosa's handling of the Maumela situation.

Walk with us, President Ramaphosa – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-10-17
5.0

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen told Reuters last month that to secure lower tariffs South Africa might need to address some of Trump's criticisms.

South Africa has sent officials to US for trade talks, president says
The Citizen – major Tanzanian English newspaper, est. 2004·TanzaniaTanzania· 2025-09-10
5.0

John Steenhuisen is the current leader of the DA, representing a different vision amidst the party's brand confusion.

The ‘unbranding’ of parties has political consequences – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-09-04
5.0

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed 274 cases of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa.

Steenhuisen confirms 274 foot-and-mouth disease cases in five provinces – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-09-01
7.0
Also mentioned
Donald Trump
Donald Trump

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced a last-minute U-turn to stop the euthanasia of Achi.

South Africans rejoice after rescued yacht dog spared euthanasia
BBC·United KingdomUnited Kingdom· 2025-08-22
8.0

John Steenhuisen is mentioned as a close friend of Håkan Juholt and leader of the Democratic Alliance.

Håkan Juholt berättar om silldiplomatin i Sydafrika
Dagens Nyheter·SwedenSweden· 2025-08-21
7.0

John Steenhuisen emphasized the importance of voting for the DA to improve the lives of Tshwane residents.

DA announces Cilliers Brink as its Tshwane mayoral candidate ‘to finish what we started’ – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-08-17
7.0

John Steenhuisen is the agriculture minister who emphasized the competitiveness of South African agricultural exports.

South Africa offers US a revised trade deal and seeks to diversify exports – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-08-12
7.0
Also mentioned
Parks Tau
Parks Tau
Donald Trump
Donald Trump

John Steenhuisen is the leader of the Democratic Alliance and has criticized the national dialogue as an expensive talk shop.

DA slams R700m national dialogue as pricey ‘talk shop’ – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-08-11
3.0

John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance, stated that the party will support the Appropriation Bill following Nkabane's dismissal.

DA to support departmental budgets after Nobuhle Nkabane’s axing – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-07-22
7.0

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen declared three weeks ago that his party would be withdrawing from the process after its deputy minister was sacked.

Whose dialogue is it anyway? – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-07-18
4.0

John Steenhuisen is discussed in the context of leading the Democratic Alliance past 2026.

Will John Steenhuisen lead past 2026? With Tara Roos – Podcast episode 12 – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-07-14
5.0

John Steenhuisen is the leader of the DA party and serves as the agriculture minister in Ramaphosa's cabinet.

Why ANC and DA will not leave toxic pairing
BBC·United KingdomUnited Kingdom· 2025-07-03
5.0

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen was discussed in relation to the poultry import concessions.

SA poultry industry slams US bird flu import concessions as risk to food security – The Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian·South AfricaSouth Africa· 2025-06-30
5.0