Pretoria – Former leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen has been demoted to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Steenhuisen’s demotion from agriculture minister was prompted by the new DA leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, who requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to do so.
In recent months, Steenhuisen has come under increasing criticism for his poor handling of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, which has devastated the farming sector.
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Announcing the move as part of a wider Cabinet Reshuffle late on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the Presidency stated that President Ramaphosa was making changes to the national executive following consultation with the leadership of the DA, as a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
“These changes will affect the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Trade, Industry and Competition, Electricity and Energy, Higher Education, and Water and Sanitation,” the Presidency said in a statement made available to The Bulrushes.
The statement said, accordingly, President Ramaphosa will, in line with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (the Constitution), appoint:
- Mr. Willem Aucamp as the Minister of Agriculture,
- Mr. David Maynier as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Furthermore, the statement said in accordance with section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution, President Ramaphosa was appointing the following Deputy Ministers:
- Mr. John Steenhuisen as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition,
- Ms. Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy,
- Mr. Jack Bloom as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation,
- Mr. Yusuf Cassim as Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
In the vacant Ministry of Social Development, President Ramaphosa has appointed Ms. Dina Pule as the Minister of Social Development in accordance with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution.
“President Ramaphosa wishes all the incoming Ministers and Deputy Ministers well in their roles,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa removed DA members Isaac Seithlolo and Samantha Graham-Mare as deputy ministers.
