The Democratic Alliance (DA) has come to the defence of party leader John Steenhuisen, following backlash over his conduct during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. Critics argue that Steenhuisen missed an opportunity to directly challenge false claims of a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa, choosing instead to promote party political interests.
President Cyril Ramaphosa had included Steenhuisen, who also serves as Minister of Agriculture, in his delegation with the expectation that his presence would help counter the narrative that white South Africans, particularly farmers, are being targeted in acts of violence and land confiscation. The controversial theory, widely dismissed as misinformation, has gained traction in far-right circles internationally.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly surprised the South African delegation by showing video clips, including imagery of white crosses, which he claimed were grave markers of white victims. He went on to repeat unfounded assertions that white South Africans were being killed and their land seized.
When Ramaphosa invited Steenhuisen to respond, the minister acknowledged the reality of farm attacks, emphasising that these crimes affect farmers of all racial backgrounds. He noted that black farmers, in particular, suffer losses due to issues like stock theft and rural crime. However, he did not explicitly refute the genocide claims in the same way he had before departing for the US, when he stated there was no genocide or land expropriation without compensation in the country.
Instead, Steenhuisen used the platform to warn against political rivals such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), portraying them as threats to South Africa’s future and suggesting they should not be allowed access to power.
The DA has insisted Steenhuisen was acting in his capacity as a government official, not as a party representative. DA national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau stated that his remarks were made in his role as Minister of Agriculture, and not influenced by partisan interests.
However, not everyone agreed. Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe accused Steenhuisen of advancing party narratives under the guise of government representation, arguing that he tailored his message to appeal to Trump’s sympathies and used the opportunity to paint opposition parties in a negative light.
Adding to the criticism, businessman Johann Rupert, who was also part of the delegation, reminded Trump that violent crime is a widespread issue in South Africa and not confined to any one group. He pointed out that crime rates remain high even in the Western Cape, where the DA governs, particularly in areas like the Cape Flats plagued by gang violence.
Other experts offered differing views. Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast noted that while Steenhuisen could have shared his party’s views on various legislative matters, he did acknowledge that farm attacks are not racially targeted. Meanwhile, international relations expert Dr Noluthando Phungula maintained that the delegation, including Steenhuisen, successfully conveyed the key message that the notion of a white genocide in South Africa is unfounded.
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