Staff Reporter
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has decided not to contest the party’s upcoming leadership election, News24 reported on Tuesday, in a move that would end his tenure at the helm of South Africa’s biggest opposition party.
News24 said senior party sources expected the decision to clear the way for the DA’s Cape Town mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, to seek the top job later this year.
Bloomberg reported separately that Steenhuisen, who also serves as agriculture minister in the Government of National Unity, plans to step down after coming under growing pressure over policy trade-offs in the GNU.
According to Bloomberg, Steenhuisen said he was unable to comment on whether he would run again before nominations for the leadership post open on 24 February.
Steenhuisen has led the DA since 2019.
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