John Steenhuisen has announced he will not seek re-election as leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), saying he has completed the mission he set out when he first took the party’s top position, and will now focus on his role as Minister of Agriculture.
Speaking at a media briefing in Durban on Wednesday, Steenhuisen confirmed he is withdrawing from the party’s leadership contest ahead of the DA’s federal congress scheduled for April 2026. He framed his decision as a natural conclusion to a chapter he described as both challenging and rewarding.
Steenhuisen said leading the DA into national governance was the “single greatest achievement” of his tenure, highlighting the party’s transition from opposition to a key partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the 2024 elections. Under his leadership, the DA also retained control of the Western Cape and saw its national polling numbers rise significantly.
“It is mission accomplished for me” Steenhuisen said, adding that his commitment now is to tackling the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak affecting South Africa’s agricultural sector. He said dividing his attention between a leadership campaign and his ministerial responsibilities would be unfair to farmers and the national response effort.
Steenhuisen confirmed he will remain in cabinet and fully dedicate his time and energy to addressing the FMD crisis, calling it a pressing priority for the remainder of his term. Although he steps back from the race, Steenhuisen pledged his support for the next DA leader and stressed the importance of ensuring continuity as the party prepares for its transition. His decision opens the door for a generational shift within the DA, with candidates such as Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis widely mentioned as possible successors.
