The leader of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance plans to step down when the party holds its internal elections in two months. The move follows growing criticism over his leadership of the country’s second-largest political party.
John Steenhuisen, who has led the DA since 2019, will not stand for another term at the party’s elective conference in April. This is according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the information is not yet public.
A formal announcement is expected as soon as Wednesday. Steenhuisen’s departure would clear the way for Geordin Hill-Lewis to contest the party leadership.
Steenhuisen, who also serves as South Africa’s minister of agriculture, said he could not comment on whether he would run for the leadership before nominations open on February 24.
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In recent months, he has faced mounting internal pressure to step aside. Much of the criticism centres on disagreements over policy positions within the coalition government.
Hill-Lewis, 39, said in an interview on Monday that he would “very seriously” consider running if Steenhuisen did not stand. However, he made it clear that he would not join the national cabinet.
He has previously said he supports the DA’s continued participation in the government of national unity. That said, he believes the terms of engagement would need improvement.
Hill-Lewis is widely viewed as a rising figure within the DA. As a result, some party members and backers have actively lobbied for him to take over the leadership.
Internal Disputes and External Pressure
Momentum for change grew after Steenhuisen became involved in a public dispute with the party’s finance chief. He was also implicated in the alleged misuse of a credit card. Although an internal investigation cleared him of wrongdoing, the episode intensified scrutiny.
Steenhuisen, 49, has also drawn criticism from key DA constituencies. This includes farmers unhappy with his handling of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which has driven meat prices higher.
In addition, he has overseen the implementation of a policy giving preference to parties with black economic empowerment credentials when securing export permits to the European Union.
The DA has governed Cape Town since 2006. Hill-Lewis was appointed mayor in 2021, becoming the youngest person to hold the position.
The city, a major tourist destination, is widely regarded as the best-run of South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities.
