John Steenhuisen

John Henry Steenhuisen (born 25 March 1976) is a South African politician who has been serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly since October 2019 and the interim Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance since November 2019. He previously served as the Chief Whip of the Official Opposition under the leadership of Mmusi Maimane from May 2014 to October 2019. He has been serving as a Member of the National Assembly since July 2011. Before he was appointed to parliament, he was active in the provincial politics of KwaZulu-Natal, serving as both the Provincial Leader of the DA and the leader of the party's caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.[1]

The Honourable

John Steenhuisen

MP
Steenhuisen in 2011
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
27 October 2019
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Preceded byAnnelie Lotriet (acting)
Mmusi Maimane
Leader of the Democratic Alliance
Interim
Assumed office
17 November 2019
ChairIvan Meyer (interim)
Preceded byMmusi Maimane
Chief Whip of the Official Opposition
In office
29 May 2014 – 24 October 2019
DeputyJacques Julius
Mike Waters
LeaderMmusi Maimane
Preceded byWatty Watson
Succeeded byJacques Julius (acting)
Natasha Mazzone
Member of the National Assembly
Assumed office
19 July 2011
Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature
In office
22 April 2009 – 19 July 2011
Personal details
Born
John Henry Steenhuisen

(1976-03-25) 25 March 1976
Durban, Natal, South Africa
Political partyDemocratic Alliance (2000–present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Party (Until 2000)
Spouse(s)
Terry Steenhuisen (née Kass Beaumont)
​
(
m. 2014)

Julie Steenhuisen (née Wright)
​
(
m. 2000; div. 2010)
Children3
Alma materNorthwood Boys High School

Ideologically, Steenhuisen describes himself as a liberal and a supporter of non-racialism.[2][3]

Early life and education

Steenhuisen was born in Durban and attended Northwood Boys High School, an English-medium secondary school in Durban, from 1989 to 1993.[4] Steenhuisen came under scrutiny in 2018, when it was discovered that he lacked any formal tertiary education.[5] He later told Parliament that he had enrolled for a bachelor's degree in politcs and law at the University of South Africa in 1994, but could not finish the course due to work and financial circumstances.[6][7]

Political career
Winston Rabotapi and Steenhuisen in 2011

Steenhuisen started as an ordinary Democratic Party (predecessor to the Democratic Alliance) activist before he became a branch member.[8]

In 1999, at the age of 22, Steenhuisen was elected to the then Durban City Council and consequently became one of the youngest municipal councillors. He was appointed the DA's caucus leader in 2006. In the same year, he was assigned to serve on the city's Executive Committee.[9][8]

He represented the constituency of Durban North in the eThekwini Municipal Council, and its precursor, the Durban City Council, for ten years until his election to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in the 2009 South African general election. He was elected Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance at the party's 2009 Provincial Congress.[8] He held the position until he announced his resignation on 18 October 2010, amid the disclosure of marital unfaithfulness. Steenhuisen's resignation as provincial leader became effective on 24 October 2010, although he continued to serve as an MPL and the DA's caucus leader until his move to the National Assembly in July 2011.[8][10][11]

Steenhuisen joined the National Assembly on 19 July 2011 by replacing Mark Steele, a DA MP who, in turn, assumed Steenhuisen's seat in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.[8] Steenhuisen is a member of the Rules Committee. He previously served as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management.[12] He also formerly served as the DA's Shadow Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.[13]

Steenhuisen was appointed Chief Whip of the DA caucus on 29 May 2014.[14] He was reappointed to the post in May 2019.[15]

Steenhuisen is known for his oratory skills and has delivered many speeches to Parliament that have been noted for their wit and incisive criticism of African National Congress (ANC) leadership, including previous South African President Jacob Zuma.[16][17]

Leadership of the Democratic Alliance (2019–present)

Interim leadership election

Mmusi Maimane resigned as Federal Leader and Parliamentary Leader of the DA in October 2019, causing Steenhuisen to lose the title of chief whip. Steenhuisen's deputy, Jacques Julius, served as the acting chief whip.[18] Steenhuisen declared his candidacy to succeed Maimane as parliamentary leader and was elected unopposed on 27 October 2019.[19][20] He formally announced on 28 October 2019 that he would run for Federal Leader of the party.[21][22] He was elected to the position on an interim capacity on 17 November 2019 after he defeated Gauteng MPL Makashule Gana.[23]

2020 leadership campaign

On 15 February 2020, he declared his intention to seek a full-term as Federal Leader of the DA at the Hellenic Community Centre in Mouille Point, Cape Town. Several public representatives attended the launch of his campaign, including Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, the head of the party's governance unit James Selfe, Shadow Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Glynnis Breytenbach, and DA chief whip in the National Assembly Natasha Mazzone.[24][25][26]

Steenhuisen is facing Gauteng provincial leader John Moodey and KwaZulu-Natal MPL Mbali Ntuli for the position.[27] He is regarded as the frontrunner for the position.[28] He has the endorsements from seven out of the nine DA provincial leaders.[29] KwaZulu-Natal provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango is backing Ntuli.[30]

The party was scheduled to elect its new leadership in May 2020 at its Federal Congress, but this was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] Consequently, Steenhuisen suspended all campaign activities.[32] DA leadership structures have since resolved to hold the conference virtually between 31 October and 1 November [33], a move that some critics have denounced as being favourable to Steenhuisen's campaign.[34]

Other activities

In the early days of Steenhuisen's leadership, the party lost control of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in December 2019.[35] In August 2016, then-DA leader Mmusi Maimane formed an informal alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters to secure control of several hung municipalities, including Johannesburg with Herman Mashaba of the DA as the city's mayor.[36] Mashaba resigned as mayor in October 2019 and left office in November.[37] A vacancy was therefore created. DA Gauteng leader John Moodey and party provincial chair Michael Moriarty were seen as being supportive of the EFF co-operation with the DA.[38] DA Federal Council chair Helen Zille and Steenhuisen both opposed a coalition agreement with the EFF.[39] On 4 December, the ANC regained control of the city of Johannesburg.[40] Previous DA coalition partners and a few DA councillors voted for the ANC candidate Geoff Makhubo.[41]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the DA launched a coronavirus information channel.[42] On 8 May 2020, Steenhuisen delivered a speech in which he called for the national lockdown to be halted. Steenhuisen called the lockdown "destructive" and said, "there is no longer a justification to keep this hard lockdown in place." He also said that the DA had written to the International Monetary Fund and filed a PAIA complaint to obtain the minutes of the National Command Council's decision to retain the tobacco ban.[43][44][45]

On 14 May 2020, a heated interview occurred wherein Steenhuisen became agitated on live television following SABC News journalist Flo Letoaba's query as to who he was speaking on behalf of with regards to the critique of the ANC's handling of the national lockdown which he presented.[46] Steenhuisen sarcastically asked on multiple occasions during the interview whether Letoaba would like a list of all those he spoke on behalf of and went on to accuse her of "being in the president's corner".[47]

Personal life

He currently resides in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal and is a supporter of the Sharks rugby union team and AmaZulu F.C. football club.[9] Steenhuisen was married for 10 years to Julie Steenhuisen (née Wright), a fellow Durban native. They were divorced in October 2010, amid public revelations of his ongoing affair with Terry Kass Beaumont, the DA's provincial spokesperson and wife of Michael Beaumont, the DA's provincial director.[48] Steenhuisen has two daughters from his first marriage.[49] He is now married to Terry and they have a daughter together. He is fluent in both English and Afrikaans.[50]

gollark: I mean, in the absence of some immediate shock to the system people will just stick with the existing "NuClEaR BaD" opinions.
gollark: Despite nuclear power being a solution to... most of our energy problems... people will still insist it's awful, so we'll get renewables everywhere which won't really help because batteries.
gollark: Oh yes, climate change.
gollark: That too.
gollark: There would be exciting safety issues.

References
  1. "DA Caucus KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature: John Steenhuisen". Democratic Alliance. Archived from the original on 20 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  2. Steenhuisen, John (16 February 2020). "We can fix the DA - John Steenhuisen". Politicsweb. Retrieved 22 March 2020. However, as a liberal, I am also against all forms of racial labelling, classification and categorisation.
  3. Mahlati, Zintle (12 November 2019). "Race should not be a factor in whose elected DA leader, says Steenhuisen". IOL news. Johannesburg. Retrieved 22 March 2020. Steenhuisen spoke candidly about his views on race and said what lost the DA votes at the general election was diverting from the party’s principles and race. 'We should be a party that upholds its values of non-racialism and rejects representativity...'
  4. Mtshali, Samkelo (29 October 2019). "John Steenhuisen's lack of post-matric qualification back in spotlight". IOL. Durban. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. "Twitter has field day over DA's Steenhuisen's lack of qualifications". eNCA. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  6. "Off to Parliament, educated or not". Mail & Guardian. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  7. Head, Tom (17 November 2019). "DA leadership battle: Qualifications of John Steenhuisen vs Makashule Gana". The South African. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  8. Swana, Annelisa (16 November 2019). "Steenhuisen has a plan as he guns for DA's top spot". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 16 November 2019. He then became regional chair, a councillor, caucus leader, an MPL, a provincial leader, an MP, a whip, a chief whip and eventually parliamentary leader.
  9. Kimmie, Raeesa. "DA Chief Whip plans to strengthen SA through education". reviewonline.co.za. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  10. "Changes in KZN DA leadership". News24. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  11. "DA caucus leader moves to Cape". The Mercury. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  12. "Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament". Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  13. "DA: Statement by John Steenhuisen, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, on bad municipal appointments (03/05/2012)". Polity. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  14. "Maimane appointed DA Parly leader". Cape Town. EWN. 29 May 2014.
  15. Gerber, Jan (30 May 2019). "DA elects new caucus leadership, Mike Waters won't return as deputy chief whip". News24. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  16. "'Where is Zuma?': DA chief whip John Steenhuisen doesn't hold back in Parliament speech". News24. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  17. "'Prison uniform should be Zuma's exit package' - Steenhuisen". News24. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  18. "In pictures: John Steenhuisen announces his resignation as chief whip of the DA". Mail & Guardian. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  19. Gerber, Jan (24 October 2019). "DA 'backbencher' John Steenhuisen lobbied to lead". News24. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  20. Etheridge, Jenna (27 October 2019). "John Steenhuisen chosen as DA parliamentary leader". News24. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  21. "Steenhuisen wants to take DA to new heights". eNCA. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  22. Knight, Tessa (28 October 2019). "Remoulding the 'big blue jelly': John Steenhuisen to run for top DA post". The Daily Maverick. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  23. "JUST IN l DA chooses Steenhuisen, Meyer as interim federal leader and chair". News24. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  24. Gerber, Jan (15 February 2020). "DA leadership race: Steenhuisen 'in it to win it'". News24. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  25. "Steenhuisen vows to unite DA". SABC News. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  26. Chothia, Andrea (15 February 2020). "'I want to free you from Eskom,' says John Steenhuisen". The South African. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  27. Mailovich, Claudi (27 February 2020). "DA leadership: Race to the finish". Financial Mail. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  28. Kiewit, Lester (19 February 2020). "Steenhuisen takes the lead in DA race while Ntuli falters". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2020. The campaign for Democratic Alliance leader has seen interim leader John Steenhuisen come out as the clear frontrunner in the race to permanently replace Mmusi Maimane.
  29. Cele, Sthembile; Masuabi, Queenin (16 February 2020). "John Steenhuisen scores major boost as provincial DA leaders throw weight behind him". city-press.news24.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  30. Nkosikhona, Duma (3 March 2020). "DA KZN leader Mcwango rallies behind Ntuli to become national party leader". Eyewitness News (EWN). Durban. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  31. Mavuso, Sihle (16 March 2020). "ANC, DA postpone conferences amid coronavirus fears". IOL. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  32. Meyer, Dan (16 March 2020). "Steenhuisen puts DA leadership charge on hold amid coronavirus fears". The South African. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  33. Harper, Paddy (21 May 2020). "DA goes virtual as congress to elect leader moves online". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  34. Gerber, Jan; Tandwa, Lizeka; Madia, Tshidi (17 May 2020). "DA's proposed virtual elective conference in October believed to favour Steenhuisen". News24. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  35. Kobokana, Abongwe (5 December 2019). "DA disappointed at losing Joburg Mayor vote". SABC News. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  36. Manyathela, Clement; Kekana, Masa (22 August 2016). "Victory for DA as Herman Mashaba is elected Mayor of Johannesburg". EWN. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  37. "Herman Mashaba: Johannesburg's black mayor resigns over DA race row". BBC News. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  38. Joubert, Jan-Jan (5 December 2019). "A backstory of betrayal: How the ANC took Joburg from the DA". The South African. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  39. Joubert, Jan-Jan (1 November 2019). "Helen Zille sets out DA's road to recovery – talks race, EFF and more". The South African. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  40. Mailovich, Claudi (4 December 2019). "ANC retakes Joburg as DA coalition collapses". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  41. Feketha, Siviwe (4 December 2019). "DA feels 'betrayed' by councillors, coalition partners after ANC victory in Joburg". IOL news. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  42. "DA to launch coronavirus information channel". The Citizen. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  43. "DA to take govt to court for NCC meeting minutes". eNCA. 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  44. "DA: SA now entering one of the longest lockdowns in the world". The Citizen. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  45. Gerber, Jan (8 May 2020). "End lockdown now, or South Africans will end it for you - Steenhuisen to Ramaphosa". News24. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  46. "South Africans react to Steenhuisen "speaking" for them – and it's hilarious". News24. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  47. "South Africans react to John Steenhuisen "speaking" for them – and it's hilarious". News24. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  48. "DA leader quits over sex scandal". News24. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  49. "Mr Clean under fire". Independent Online. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  50. Kiewit, Lester (22 November 2019). "Boy on a bike fulfilling his dreams". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Mmusi Maimane		 Interim Leader of the Democratic Alliance
2019–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Mmusi Maimane		 Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa
2019–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Watty Watson		 Chief Whip of the Official Opposition in the National Assembly of South Africa
2014–2019		 Succeeded by
Jacques Julius (acting)
Natasha Mazzone
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