‘Minister’ John Steenhuisen: What he REALLY says about serving in cabinet

So it seems Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen isn’t completely opposed to the idea of joining President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet.

As the official opposition, Steenhuisen has undoubtedly been the most vocal in his criticism of the current executive and judging by his latest comments, probably reckons he could do a much better job than certain ministers who are still in office.

Would John Steenhuisen join cabinet?

In an interview with Johannesburg-based radio station 702, the DA’s John Steenhuisen reiterated that it wouldn’t be his decision to make, but that of the party. Steenhuisen also added that he didn’t have to be in cabinet to contribute to the rebuilding of the country.

“It’s not up to John Steenhuisen, it will be the decision of the federal executive and the federal council of the DA to do that,” he said.

Asked what his standpoint would be in the party, should Ramaphosa offer three cabinet positions to the DA, Steenhuisen said: “I would say to them we’ve got to consider it and look at the terms of it. But I do believe that what South Africa does need is a strong opposition and I think we’ve played a very good role there. I would much prefer to see the DA and other parties bring the ANC below 50% and create a government where you don’t have one party dominating.”

“I would be very reluctant to serve in a Cabinet where I would not be able to continue to articulate our political views and to be thoroughly co-opted by the ANC. I don’t think that would serve South Africans. But I do believe in the future of SA, there are people who share the same values and principles who today are not wearing the same political T-shirts. And I think they’ve got to come together and do it very quickly because the forces on the radical left are amassing very quickly and the rational centre better get up and move to prevent this.”

John Steenhuisen, DA leader

Murmurs of Steenhuisen joining cabinet were sparked by an interview he had done with SABC News, in which he said he would be prepared to take on the task, in the wake of the deadly Gauteng and KZN riots.