Political analysts weigh in on Steenhuisen's departure and DA's future

Political analysts are claiming that the outgoing Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, has failed to grow the party beyond its roughly 20% support base nationally.

This statement comes as Steenhuisen announced that he will not be contesting the party’s leadership contest at the upcoming DA conference, scheduled for April.

He made the announcement a media briefing held at the Riverside Hotel in Durban on Wednesday.

“I today announce that I will not seek re-election for a third term as DA Federal Leader at the party’s upcoming Federal Congress.

"I do so with a full heart, knowing that I have accomplished my DA Moonshot mission, and that my work in government now requires me to similarly pour my heart and soul into defeating Foot-and-Mouth Disease,” he said.

In response, political analyst Professor Onkgopotse “JJ” Tabane stated that the DA was now recognising Steenhuisen’s failure and hoped that the upcoming leadership changes will correct mistakes made before the 2024 elections.

“They had every opportunity in 2024 to change the face of the DA. I know they’ll say, ‘No, we chose Maimane; it didn’t work,’ etc. That’s not the point."

Tabane explained that the DA needed to cast its net further and wider to rake in a greater portion of all the votes on offer.

"And you can’t talk to that bigger constituency by continuing to show them that you want to be a minority-led party all the time.”

Tabane said that the DA cannot become a majority party without genuinely appealing to South Africa’s black majority, rather than continuing to appear as a minority-led party.

He believes the DA missed opportunities to elevate capable and charismatic leaders, citing figures like Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse.

At the briefing, Steenhuisen confirmed various points of speculation about his reported exit, including that he would continue to serve in the national government as a minister.

The briefing also confirmed that his exit was being framed as a desire for him to focus entirely on his ministerial portfolio’s fight against Foot and Mouth Disease, which was ravaging South Africa’s livestock.

“After leading the DA into the Government of National Unity, my next chapter will focus on eradicating this devastating disease from our shores once and for all. That is not a part-time job,” he said.

“It would not be fair to the incredible farmers of South Africa for me to split my time between battling the worst FMD outbreak ever on one hand, while also running an internal campaign for the next three months and then leading a local government election campaign on the other hand.”

With Steenhuisen stepping aside from the top position, it opened the way for other fast-risers, including Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, to step up.

Hill-Lewis has spoken about his political ambitions and willingness to lead the DA but has also made it clear that he would not contest against Steenhuisen. This path is now open.

With the DA’s federal congress to elect new leadership set for April, nominations for positions open on February 24

DAILY NEWS.