The reshuffle signals the rise of Geordin Hill-Lewis and the fall of John Steenhuisen. A farming revolt that rattled the DA as a key constituency flamed with anger after an animal epidemic raged with no solution.
DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis kept WhatsApping his friend, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, about a rapid rupture between the farming community and Steenhuisen's office, specifically his chief of staff, Jana le Roux.
She threatened a stakeholder with legal action, Rapport reported, and then dismissed farmers' concerns in an email chain, as Daniélle Schaafsma reported here. During a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemic that has gutted a sector and remains out of control, it went down like a ton of bricks.
"There was a breakdown with the [farming] sector," said a senior DA official, who cannot be quoted. "If the party's taking damage, the job of the leader is to protect the party. It's a difficult thing to do [but he had no choice]."
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The young DA leader felt compelled to act. This week, he requested that President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffle the party's component in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The move will allow Hill-Lewis to stamp his imprimatur on the party, while demoting Steenhuisen, the DA leader whom he succeeded in April.
As Don Pinnock reported here, Fishery, Forestry and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp will replace Steenhuisen if Ramaphosa agrees. Aucamp is affable and has close relationships with...
