JOHANNESBURG – John Steenhuisen’s exit from the Democratic Alliance (DA) leadership race was likely a trade-off within the party.
He steps down as party leader, and in exchange, keeps his position as Minister of Agriculture and win back the trust of the farming community.
This is according to Political Analyst Professor Andre Duvenhage, who says by all indications, the DA has set a mandate for Steenhuisen to go back to the Department of Agriculture to salvage relations with the farming community.
In recent week, Steenhuisen has faced immense pressure from the farming community as it battles to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
A court bid has also been launched by farmers who have accused the department of blocking private sector efforts to help curb the spread of the disease.
READ | ‘It’s mission accomplished’, says Steenhuisen as he exits DA leadership race
On Wednesday, after much speculation, Steenhuisen confirmed that he would bow out of the contest for a third term in office as leader of the DA to focus his energy into defeating foot-and-mouth disease.
“The criticism from the commercial farming community is very rife. But you cannot put the full blame on Steenhuisen. My understanding is there is a lot of sabotage going on. He was set up for failure as there was lack of cooperation from certain departments and this is making the process difficult.”
“Bu the fact of the matter is, he has a negative image among the farming community,” said Duvenhage.
He added that while internal party turmoil had forced Steenhuisen’s exit, his ministerial position will be relatively safe.
Southern African Agri Initiative President Theo de Jager said the sector needs policies which will ensure that they utilise all the resources they can mobilise.
“We need all the private veterinarians, the pharmacies, every vehicle that is equipped to distribute the vaccine. Our private laboratories have the capacity not only to manufacture the vaccines but also to put it in cold storage, to handle it in a way in which it can get to our cattle efficiently, so that we can vaccinate the national herd.”