PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to review a proposed cabinet reshuffle submitted by the Democratic Alliance, which seeks to reconfigure key portfolios within the Government of National Unity. The proposed changes come amid mounting pressure to resolve the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease crisis in the agriculture sector.
The Presidency has confirmed that DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis formally requested the changes, proposing a significant reconfiguration of Democratic Alliance members serving in the coalition government.
Under the proposed adjustments, Willem Aucamp would replace John Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister. Steenhuisen would subsequently be moved to the role of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Additionally, David Maynier is being proposed for the Forestry, Fisheries and Environment portfolio.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed the receipt of the proposal, stating that President Ramaphosa will consider the recommendations and announce a decision in due course.
Political analyst Professor Susan Booysen noted that while the move might appear abrupt to some, it follows a logical political trajectory. She pointed out that when Hill-Lewis assumed national leadership, there were strong assurances that Steenhuisen would be taken care of and retain high office despite stepping down as party leader. However, the current proposal brings matters “full circle.”
Booysen highlighted a severe crisis within the Department of Agriculture regarding foot-and-mouth disease as a primary catalyst. She cited a recent court judgment late last month that ruled against the department in favor of the private sector, ordering mandatory vaccinations. Furthermore, she suggested Steenhuisen has struggled to control his department’s staff and has been involved in a series of embarrassing gaffes in recent months, indicating he has not been coping well in the role.
Hill-Lewis outlined that Aucamp’s immediate mandate, should he be appointed, would be to resolve ongoing legal proceedings related to the disease, collaborate with the entire agricultural sector, and implement accelerated practical steps to restore confidence and bring the crisis under control.
Despite Steenhuisen strenuously denying these shortcomings in past interviews and claiming he was doing a great job, his popularity has notably waned. Booysen noted that prior to the DA Congress, internal friction was evident, particularly his clashes with party heavyweight Helen Zille over whether the party should remain in the GNU.
According to the analyst, a serious trust relationship breakdown has occurred between Steenhuisen, his department, and the organized agricultural community. Booysen added that Steenhuisen and Zille have not been on good speaking terms for quite some time. Without a strong visible constituency or the protection of senior party figures, she argued that Steenhuisen has run his full course in a coalition party. She described the proposed move to Deputy Minister as a “humiliating demotion,” suggesting he is likely remaining in the position primarily to secure a salary.
Booysen suggested that Hill-Lewis likely acted proactively to manage the situation. As the leader of a coalition partner, he may have anticipated that President Ramaphosa—who holds ultimate responsibility for the overall performance of the GNU—might have imposed the change himself due to the prolonged nature of the agricultural crisis. Additionally, the farming community remains a crucial constituency for the DA, especially with the FF Plus gaining ground ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Looking ahead, the President currently has two other vacancies to fill: one following the resignation of Sisisi Tolashe, and another for the Minister of Police, who remains on leave with a temporary minister currently appointed. While this presents an opportunity for a wider cabinet reshuffle, Booysen believes Ramaphosa prefers to handle such appointments in his own time. She noted that the President typically moves at his own pace to avoid creating the impression that his executive decisions were preempted by the DA’s internal maneuvers.
