By Semafor Africa
Photos: YouTube Screenshot\Wikimedia Commons
The leader of the second-largest party in South Africa’s ruling coalition announced he will not seek another term, raising fresh questions about the durability of the government.
John Steenhuisen said he had accomplished his political goals — including establishing the nearly 20-month-old coalition — and would not stand for election in the Democratic Alliance’s leadership election in April. Though he did not explicitly say why he was leaving, his departure follows months of internal rows: The business-friendly DA was expected to provide policy discipline to boost investor confidence in Africa’s biggest economy. And while its presence in government has helped reassure markets, the party has been increasingly consumed by leadership battles and strategic disagreements.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, the mayor of Cape Town, is the front-runner to succeed Steenhuisen. The 39-year-old, a rising star in the party, has secured strong support from key DA figures since becoming the city’s mayor five years ago.
