JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- South African Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen announced on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election as party leader at the DA's Federal Congress scheduled for April.
Speaking at a media briefing in Durban, Steenhuisen, who also serves as minister of agriculture, said he would concentrate fully on addressing the severe foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak affecting South Africa's livestock sector, which he said is "not a part-time job."
"It would not be fair to the incredible farmers of South Africa for me to split my time between battling the worst FMD outbreak ever on the one hand, while also running an internal campaign for the next three months and then leading a local government election campaign, on the other hand," he said.
Highlighting the party's entry into the Government of National Unity (GNU) after the 2024 general election as a significant milestone, the DA leader said the party's national polling has strengthened, rising from around 16 percent to roughly 30 percent, reflecting an expanded political presence.
Steenhuisen affirmed he will remain in cabinet and support the DA's ongoing role in government, while paving the way for new party leadership.
The DA is preparing for a leadership contest at its April congress ahead of the 2026 local elections.
Steenhuisen was elected DA leader in 2020 after serving as interim leader from November 2019. He was re-elected in 2023 and has served as minister of agriculture in the GNU since July 2024. ■