Aucamp says DA united after Hill-Lewis reshuffle that moved Steenhuisen

Willie Aucamp has told reporters the Democratic Alliance remains united after a party-led Cabinet reshuffle that moved John Steenhuisen to the Trade, Industry and Competition portfolio and elevated Aucamp to the agriculture ministry.

Party unity after leadership changes

According to IOL, Aucamp said the DA showed no signs of fragmentation following the changes and that the proposals were taken to the party’s federal executive and accepted unanimously.

“There are none. I can tell you I’m on the federal executive of this party, and the decision that was taken was accepted unanimously,” Aucamp said, according to IOL.

How the reshuffle unfolded

According to IOL, the reshuffle followed DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting changes to the party’s Cabinet representation. The changes resulted in Aucamp replacing Steenhuisen as agriculture minister, and Steenhuisen being appointed deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Aucamp on his appointment and Steenhuisen’s role

Aucamp told reporters he believed Hill-Lewis had identified where each individual could best serve. He said the leader has the prerogative to move people to roles where they can serve the country more effectively.

According to IOL, Aucamp said he was a farmer, had served on the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and had prior experience with the department, and that these factors underpinned his appointment to the agriculture portfolio.

Disciplinary questions and party tensions

According to IOL, when asked about any formal disciplinary process against John Steenhuisen following his remarks about former DA leader Tony Leon and Resolve Communications, Aucamp said he was not aware of any formal calls for that and noted Steenhuisen’s new appointment as deputy minister for Trade, Industry and Competition.

Policy priorities and farming challenges

Aucamp highlighted concerns for farmers facing difficult conditions and said opening markets and increasing competition were ways to improve returns for agricultural producers, as reported by IOL. He thanked Steenhuisen for establishing new markets during his tenure as agriculture minister and said the reshuffle would ultimately benefit the country.

Key quotes

• “Ministers come and go. That is a reality. In politics, a week can be a long time and a year can be a short time. You have to serve the people of the country.” Aucamp, as reported by IOL.

• “Things happen, but we stand together. We have one aim, and that is to serve the people of this country.” Aucamp, according to IOL.

According to IOL, Aucamp said the decision on the Cabinet representation changes was taken to the DA’s federal executive and accepted unanimously, and that he was not aware of any formal disciplinary process against Steenhuisen following his public remarks.