DA leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, says he is fully behind John Steenhuisen and his plan to fight the FMD outbreak in the country.
Image: Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has thrown his support behind Minister of Agriculture and former leader, John Steenhuisen, who is facing mounting criticism over the handling of a national foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, describing the situation as a “national emergency” and urging unity behind the government’s response plan.
Hill-Lewis acknowledged concerns from key constituencies, including commercial farmers and business groups, but made it clear that the party would stand by Steenhuisen while efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
“At the minute, he is involved in a massive battle with this disease. It’s a national emergency, a national disaster,” Hill-Lewis said.
“He’s put out a plan to try and get this disease under control and get 80% vaccination by the end of this calendar year. I think we’ve got to back him in that plan,” he added.
The DA leader framed the response in wartime terms, arguing that internal divisions would undermine progress at a critical moment. “You don’t leave your team stranded in the middle of a war,” he said, adding that early signs suggest the strategy is beginning to show results.
The comments come amid discontent from parts of the agricultural sector and organised business, including criticism from groups such as Sakeliga, which have raised concerns over both disease management.
Hill-Lewis also addressed speculation about potential changes within the DA’s ranks in government, including the future role of senior party figures such as Solly Msimanga.
While declining to confirm any imminent cabinet reshuffle, he made it clear that positions within the party and government are not guaranteed.
“No one in the DA is ever entitled to a position,” he said. “Those positions are based on performance. They are there to demonstrate to the country the difference the DA can make in government.”
His remarks suggest an internal review process may be underway, with leadership decisions expected to hinge on whether ministers are delivering measurable improvements in their portfolios.
Pressed on whether a cabinet reshuffle involving DA ministers is likely, Hill-Lewis stopped short of committing either way, but reiterated the party’s performance-first approach.
“It may be,” he said. “I’m not going to make any commitment either way. It will be based on performance… whether you are improving things for the people of South Africa.”
On broader socio-economic issues, Hill-Lewis acknowledged that race continues to play a central role in shaping inequality in South Africa, but pushed back against what he described as long-standing narratives from the ANC about the DA’s position on transformation.
“This is South Africa, obviously race is relevant,” he said. “That’s an obvious statement.”
However, he rejected claims that the DA is indifferent to the advancement of black South Africans, arguing instead that the party’s focus is on tackling poverty and expanding economic opportunity.
“We are deeply invested and committed to the advancement of all poor South Africans, the huge majority of whom are black South Africans,” he said. “We want [the poor] to get out of poverty. We want them to have work opportunities in a growing economy," he concluded. "Just because we differ with [the ANC] on policy does not mean that we do not care deeply.”
Hill-Lewis added that policy differences between the DA and ANC should not be interpreted as a lack of concern for inequality, but rather as a divergence in how best to address it.
karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za