John Steenhuisen is the Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance, serving his second term as Leader. In April 2023 he was elected to this second term, by the Party’s Federal Congress, held in Johannesburg. Under his leadership the Democratic Alliance grew in both the 2021 and 2024 Elections. And following the 2024 Elections, Steenhuisen led the DA into a Government of National Unity, serving as the second biggest party in the Government, holding 6 Ministerial seats in Cabinet, and 6 Deputy-Ministerial seats in the Executive. John Steenhuisen serves as South Africa’s National Minister of Agriculture, in this Unity Government.
John has been a public representative for over 20 years. He served as a member of the National Assembly since July 2011.
He served as Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in Parliament from May 2014 until October 2019 when he took over as Interim Federal Leader of the Party.
Prior to his appointment to the National Assembly, John was involved with the politics of KwaZulu-Natal first being elected as a councillor in Durban at the age of 22 and serving as the Provincial Leader of the DA and the Party’s Caucus Leader in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.
John is a proud East Coaster and AmaZulu fan. He is married to Terry Steenhuisen and has three daughters, Ashleigh, Caroline, and Olivia. He is passionate about South Africa and optimistic about its future and believes in a pragmatic, hands-on-approach to building a prosperous nation for all who live in it.