John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, announced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, that he will not seek re-election as the party’s federal leader at the upcoming Federal Congress in April.
Speaking at a press briefing in his hometown of Durban, Steenhuisen confirmed earlier reports and framed his decision as a deliberate handover after achieving what he called his “DA Moonshot” mission. He credited his tenure with expanding the party’s national reach, returning the DA to outright control of the Western Cape, growing its polling support and guiding the party into the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“This is not the end of the road for the DA, and it is not the end of the road for me,” Steenhuisen said. “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 the decision follows his appointment to a ministerial role focused on combating the worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) recorded in South Africa’s livestock, a crisis that has drawn intense pressure from farmers and civil society. Steenhuisen said he intends to devote his remaining time in office to eradicating the disease and that dividing his attention between an internal leadership campaign and the national response would be unfair to farmers.
“After leading the DA into the GNU, my next chapter must be to eradicate this devastating disease from our shores once and for all. That is not a part-time job,” he said.
Steenhuisen assured members he will remain in government as minister and pledged full support to the successor elected at the DA’s April federal congress; nominations open on February 24. His exit opens the path for rising DA figures — notably Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who has publicly signaled leadership ambitions but had said he would not challenge Steenhuisen while he served as leader.
The leader’s announcement comes against a backdrop of internal party tensions, including public disputes with former DA Federal Finance Chair Dion George, who resigned in January amid a series of accusations against Steenhuisen. An internal probe previously cleared Steenhuisen of misuse of party funds, finding the disputed credit-card expenditure reconciled.
As minister, Steenhuisen has faced mounting criticism from farming groups and lobbyists over the government response to the FMD outbreak. This week, several farmer lobby groups took legal action accusing the minister of obstructing private-sector assistance in efforts to contain the disease — allegations that have increased scrutiny of his handling of the crisis.
Steenhuisen closed his remarks by saying he leaves the DA “a fundamentally healthier party” and urged members to back the next generation of leaders. The Federal Congress in April will elect new party leadership and mark the formal end of Steenhuisen’s tenure as DA federal leader.