Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has announced he will not stand for re-election for a third term at the party’s upcoming federal congress. He made the announcement on Wednesday 4 February 2026 during a briefing in Durban.

Steenhuisen framed his decision as the end of a completed project, saying he is walking away with a “full heart” and describing his “DA Moonshot mission” as accomplished.

Focus Shifts to Agriculture and Foot and Mouth Disease

A key reason Steenhuisen gave for stepping aside is his Cabinet workload as Minister of Agriculture. He said he plans to pour his energy into defeating foot and mouth disease, which has hit South Africa’s livestock sector hard.

He argued that it would be unfair to farmers for him to split his time between the department’s response and an internal leadership campaign followed by local election campaigning.

Claiming Credit for Taking the DA Into Government

In his remarks, Steenhuisen pointed to the DA’s role in forming a governing pact and said the party had shifted from “shouting from the sidelines” to getting stuck in and helping to fix the country.

He also positioned the Government of National Unity as a major milestone of his leadership era and presented it as proof that the DA can shape national outcomes.

What Happens Next Inside the DA

Steenhuisen’s exit opens the contest for a new leader at the DA’s federal congress in April 2026, with nominations set to open on 24 February.

He has also signalled he intends to remain in Cabinet, meaning the party’s participation in national government is expected to continue while the DA transitions to its next leader.