DURBAN - Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has described the party’s rise to national power as its greatest victory, as he announced his withdrawal from the DA leadership race on Wednesday.
Addressing party members and the media, Steenhuisen said the DA was once “writing its own obituary” before his leadership, but has since repositioned itself for a coalition era.
He praised the party’s work since 2024, saying it had moved away from being “a party that shouted from the sidelines” to one that plays a collaborative role in shaping the country’s future.
“It is a kind of politics that seeks to unite those who want to build the country, while isolating those who want to break it,” Steenhuisen said.
READ: ‘It’s mission accomplished’, says Steenhuisen as he exits DA leadership race
He warned that, had the DA failed to mature and adapt to the demands of coalition politics, it would have been responsible for “selling South Africa out to a populist doomsday coalition”.
Steenhuisen also highlighted what he described as key achievements during his tenure, including stabilising and reviving the party following the departure of former leader Mmusi Maimane.
“We had the strategic foresight to reposition the party in anticipation of the coalition era,” he said, adding that this would be remembered as a defining moment in the DA’s history.
Steenhuisen has led the DA since 2020 after serving as interim leader for a year from 2019.
“This is not the end of the road for the DA, and it is not the end of the road for me. I now have another mission,” he said.
For the remainder of the term, Steenhuisen said he would focus on his role as Minister of Agriculture, particularly efforts to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
He has come under increasing pressure from farmers to implement concrete measures to curb rising infections, which they say threaten food security.
This week, farming groups took the matter to court, accusing Steenhuisen of blocking private sector efforts to assist in containing the disease.
His announcement also comes amid internal party tensions, following a public fallout with former DA federal leader Dion George.
George accused Steenhuisen of being financially compromised and captured by the ANC after he was removed as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in November 2025. DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp was appointed as his replacement.
George later alleged that Steenhuisen had misused party funds, including claims of spending on Uber Eats, hotel stays and car rentals using a party credit card.
However, a probe found that the expenditure had been fully reconciled and that Steenhuisen had repaid the party.
The DA is expected to elect new leadership at its Federal Congress in April.