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The Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen announced on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, that he will not be seeking re-election for a third term as the party’s leader. He said it is now time for a new leader to continue with the work already begun.
The DA leader told the media in Durban that he is stepping down from his position as the Leader of the DA to focus on fighting the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak which is spreading rapidly across the country affecting the livestock industry and the economy of the country.
Steenhuisen, who came with his family at the briefing, paid tribute to his staff in the DA and recounted how he managed to reposition the DA from just being a party that criticises on the side as an opposition party, to a party that fully participates in changing the course of the country and grow its economy.
Under his leadership, he said the unthinkable happened, the DA became part of government and holds key positions including those of ministers, deputy ministers and mayors and so forth. He said the influence of the party has grown and its voter support has skyrocketed across all races and ethnic groups. He said since the DA entered the Government of National Unity (GNU), the economy of the country has expanded drastically and unemployment is going down.
John Steenhuisen is happy with his work within the party, the pool of leaders he has created from young members of the party who have become household names. These include Siviwe Gwarube, Chris Pappas amongst others.
“At the start of my leadership, many commentators underestimated my commitment to ensuring the party broadens its appeal beyond its traditional base. But the moonshot that catapulted the DA into the GNU was predicated on my commitment to reshape this party into one that transcends the boundaries of race, ethnicity and class, to serve the people of our beautiful country, and when I say serve the people, I mean serve all,” said the out-going DA Leader.
“My term will be remembered for leading the DA into national government, and putting South Africa on a new path to prosperity,” he said.
Steenhuisen said he has to step down as the Leader of the party because he now has another mission, and it is urgent. He said for the rest of the term he will focus his time and energy on being Minister of agriculture to defeat the massive outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and pursue the course of mass vaccination.
“After leading the DA into the GNU, my next chapter must be to eradicate this devastating disease from our shores once and for all, and that, I am afraid to say, it is not a part-time job. It will simply not be fair to the incredible farmers of South Africa for me to split my time from battling the worst FMD outbreak ever on the one hand, and also running around the country for an internal election campaign for the next three months; and leading a local government campaign on the other hand,” said John Steenhuisen.
