John Steenhuisen hits back at being referred to as a ‘matriculant’
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has fired back at the EFF for dismissing him in parliament due to his lack of qualifications…
John Steenhuisen has responded to criticism about not holding a post-matric degree by taking a jab at the EFF’s purported involvement in the VBS corruption scandal.
The Minister of Agriculture was speaking in parliament when his lack of education was mocked by the party’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Steenhuisen is one of a handful of GNU ministers without academic qualifications. Others include Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean MacPherson and Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
JOHN STEENHUISEN CLAPS BACK AT LACK OF QUALIFICATION
In a clip posted on social media, the EFF’s Mbuyseni Dlozi is seen calling a point of order during John Steenhuisen’s address.
He said of the minister: “I want the speaker to address this honourable member as his rightful title as matriculant. Seeing that there is the confusion of titles.”
Later, Steenhuisen clapped back at the Ndlozi by mentioning the party’s latest scandal.
He said, “I think that the grannies, the pensioners, and the stokvels who had their money stolen from them at VBS don’t sleep much better knowing that the people who stole from them have doctorates and masters degrees.”
John Steenhuisen is referring to the party’s Floyd Shivambu and Julius Malema, who have been accused of looting R2.3 billion from the now-defunct bank.
In a statement last week, the DA called for Police Portfolio Committee Chair Ian Cameron to summon SAPS officers to give an update on criminal charges laid against the duo in 2018.
Malema and Shivambu have denied involvement in the banking scandal.
FROM MATRIC TO DOG SHAMPOO SALESMAN?
In the build-up to the elections in May, John Steenhuisen’s academic qualifications and experience in politics were a big talking point by fellow politicians.
Former DA member and now GOOD party leader Patricia De Lille told EWN that her former colleague used to be a “dog shampoo salesperson.”
In his official LinkedIn account, Steenhuisen does not mention any such job title.
After finishing school in 1993, his first-known position was that of a ward councillor in 1999, at the age of 22. He then rose through the ranks to become the leader of the DA in 2019.
Unlike other political party leaders and ministers, John Steenhuisen does not have a university degree.
While he may not have a degree, John Steenhuisen did excel during his brief studying stint.
In a tweet posted in late 2018, John shared several certificates of merit for attaining distinctions in various political modules. “I did rather well,” he tweeted.