Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen Demoted to Deputy Trade Minister

Former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has been stripped of his position as South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture and reassigned to serve as the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition.

The decision, announced on Wednesday by new DA Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, marks a dramatic fall from grace for the man who just two years prior successfully brokered the historic Government of National Unity (GNU) coalition deal.

It is said that Steenhuisen’s removal was catalyzed by acute policy failures. His tenure at the Department of Agriculture was heavily marred by his handling of South Africa’s severe Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.

The highly contagious viral disease, which affects livestock, devastated farmers and triggered massive disruptions across the agricultural sector. Mounting pressure from farming groups and unresolved legal proceedings regarding FMD vaccine policies eroded confidence in his leadership.

Hill-Lewis gave Steenhuisen a strict two-month window following the DA’s leadership transition in April to stabilize the sector, but as that window closed, the party leadership felt compelled to act.

In an official statement, Hill-Lewis framed the reshuffle around core party principles:

“These changes demonstrate Democratic Alliance values in action. We believe in accountability in public office, high standards of performance, and responsiveness to the needs of South Africans.”

The requested executive changes, submitted by Hill-Lewis to President Cyril Ramaphosa, represent a sweeping realignment of the DA’s six allocated ministerial and deputy ministerial slots in the GNU: