John Steenhuisen Elected South African DA’s New Parliamentary Leader

John Steenhuisen has been elected as the new parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance after Mmusi Maimane quit the party late last week, the DA announced on Sunday.

Steenhuisen, who was chief whip under Maimane and well known across the country for his firebrand presentations in Parliament, was the only person nominated. The statement, which said nominations closed on Friday night, was made on Sunday by Annelie Lotriet, member of parliament and Chairperson of the DA’s Parliamentary Caucus.”

Many of Steenhuisen’s speeches are well viewed on social media, such as his response to the Economic Freedom Fighters criticising him for being a chief whip without a university degree.

Watch Steenhuisen responding to the ANC and EFF in Parliament in November 2018

After Maimane and Athol Trollip resigned, Steenhuisen tweeted, “An honor to work with Mmusi and Athol over many years. Thank you for your leadership, commitment and dedication to the cause. We must work to continue the project. As Ted Kennedy said ‘the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.'”

“The DA’s Parliamentary Caucus looks forward to working with Mr. Steenhuisen and he can be assured of our support.”