AfriForum accuses Steenhuisen of aligning with the ANC

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen addresses the party’s Free State Provincial Congress on January 31, 2026.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has strongly criticised Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, accusing him of aligning with the African National Congress (ANC) and acting against the interests of the Afrikaans-speaking community.

The criticism comes as Steenhuisen, who is also Agriculture Minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU), is expected to address the media in Durban on Wednesday.

He is expected to announce that he will not seek re-election at the DA’s federal congress in April.

Kriel says there is a need for change.

He says, “Hopefully there will be a move not to act against the interests of the DA’s core constituency, but of course remember even if Minister Steenhuisen steps down as leader, he will still be the Minister of Agriculture, so what we also need is for the Minister to rethink his position with regards to BELA (the Basic Education Laws Amendment), with regards to how to handle the foot and mouth disease and with regards to many other issues that we believe he is not sticking to the DA’s policies.”