Steenhuisen’s saviour complex triggered questions about DA's cohesion, coherence: Analyst

While outgoing Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen hails the party’s shift from opposition benches to the corridors of government as his crowning achievement, there are suggestions that his tenure was not without turbulence.

Steenhuisen announced in Durban on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to retain his position within the party when his term ends in April.

He said the decision is driven by his desire to focus on his role as the minister of agriculture.

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In his “mission accomplished” address, Steenhuisen reflected on what he described as the defining successes of his seven years at the helm.

Not so long ago, Steenhuisen was eager and confident about running for a third term as the party’s leader.

However, now that he has decided otherwise, he’s emphasised that it was under his leadership that the DA secured an office at the Union Buildings.

He further described his leadership team as possibly the strongest in the party’s history.

“I worked hard with others who love our party to not only resurrect our party's fortunes, but we also carried it to new heights.”

However, political analyst Sanusha Naidu said Steenhuisen’s “mission accomplished” speech has raised more questions than answers.

“He came across not only as the best leader of the DA, but also as the saviour complex, that he saved the DA. That in itself has triggered more internal questions about the cohesion and coherence of the party in terms of that alliance and factional spaces.”

With the party’s federal congress scheduled for April, rumours are swirling about who stands the best chance to succeed Steenhuisen.