DA Elects New Parliamentary Leader

South Africa’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has chosen a new leader for its parliamentary party.

John Steenhuisen’s appointment comes following the resignation of the party’s first black leader, Mmusi Maimane, last week.

The party’s former chief whip, Mr Steenhuisen was the only nominee for the leadership according to DA official Annelie Lotriet.

A career politician, Mr Steenhuisen started his career back in 1999 when he was elected to Durban City Council at just 22 years of age, making him one of the city’s youngest councillors in history.

Known for being a skilled orator, his speeches are defined by sharp wit and criticism of the African National Congress (ANC) leadership, particularly that of Jacob Zuma, although he has come under fire in the past for lacking a university education.

This latest news follows the resignation of three of the DA’s most senior members, starting with Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, before party leader Mmusi Maimane was followed quickly by party chairman and Maimane loyalist Athol Trollip.

As a white man, Steenhuisen’s appointment will no doubt garner controversy.  The DA has allegedly been split by a predominately black pro-Maimane faction and a small, white conservative minority led by the newly elected Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille.