South Africa's DA leader asks President Ramaphosa for cabinet changes
Geordin Hill-Lewis says the shake-up will strengthen the DA’s role in government and shift Steenhuisen to trade, industry and competition.
- On Wednesday, Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa remove John Steenhuisen as agriculture minister, demoting him to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition.
- Mounting pressure from agricultural groups over FMD vaccine legal battles, compounded by Jana le Roux allegedly telling the Free State Agriculture CEO she would "f*** up in court," preceded the reshuffle.
- Environment Minister Willie Aucamp will succeed Steenhuisen as agriculture minister, while Western Cape MEC for Education David Maynier joins the Cabinet to fill Aucamp's former portfolio; Yusuf Cassim and Jack Bloom also receive appointments.
- Aucamp's "immediate mandate" involves resolving ongoing FMD legal proceedings and restoring sector confidence, while Steenhuisen shifts focus to industrial growth and market access in his new role.
- Reflecting the mandate from 3.5 million voters in the 2024 elections, Hill-Lewis stated these changes strengthen the Democratic Alliance's contribution to the Government of National Unity.
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24 Articles
BN Daybreak - Thu 18 June 2026: Fed holds rates; SA Cabinet shifts; SpaceX valuation; Gold potential
Listen hereToday's Daybreak covers the landmark US-Iran peace deal and the Federal Reserve's unanimous decision to hold interest rates steady. Alec Hogg analyses DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis's strategic cabinet demotion of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. We also unpack SpaceX's massive $2.52 trillion IPO valuation, the Western Cape's expanding provincial policing powers, and South Africa's missed exploration opportunities despite holding …
DA moves John Steenhuisen from agriculture in GNU shake-up
Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has formally written to President Cyril Ramaphosa recommending a series of changes to the party’s representation in the Government of National Unity (GNU) cabinet. The proposed changes follow what Hill-Lewis described as a careful assessment of the DA’s performance in government and are aimed at strengthening the party’s contribution to the national executive. “It is my judgement that th…
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