President Cyril Ramaphosa has reshuffled his Cabinet, replacing John Steenhuisen as Minister of Agriculture with Willie Aucamp and reassigning the former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
The move reshapes one of the highest-profile portfolios established under the 2024 Government of National Unity (GNU).
The changes follow consultations between Ramaphosa and the DA, a partner in the GNU and affect agriculture, forestry, trade, electricity, higher education, water and sanitation, and social development.
In a statement, the Presidency confirmed Aucamp’s appointment as Minister of Agriculture, while David Maynier takes over as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Steenhuisen now joins the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition as Deputy Minister, serving alongside Minister Parks Tau.
Ramaphosa made the appointment under Section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint deputy ministers from among members of the National Assembly.
The President also announced:
- Alexandra Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy.
- Jack Bloom as Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation.
- Yusuf Cassim as Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
- Dina Pule as Minister of Social Development.
Ramaphosa wished the incoming ministers and deputy ministers well as they assume their new responsibilities.
Steenhuisen takes on a new economic portfolio
Steenhuisen leaves Agriculture after serving two years in the role.
His new position places him at the centre of South Africa’s trade and industrial policy, where he will support Minister Tau on investment, exports and economic competitiveness.
The appointment also reunites the pair after months of working together on South Africa’s response to the US tariff dispute, which threatened agricultural exports alongside key manufacturing industries.
That collaboration became increasingly visible as government sought to protect export markets while negotiating with the United States.
More than a routine GNU portfolio change
Although the reshuffle marks a change in title, it also reflects the growing connection between agriculture and trade.
South Africa’s export-driven farming sector relies heavily on international market access, making close coordination between the two departments increasingly important.
That relationship came into sharper focus during South Africa’s White House trade talks, where agricultural and industrial interests formed part of the same negotiating agenda.
NOWinSA will publish a deeper analysis examining how Steenhuisen’s move to Trade builds on that existing partnership with Tau, and what it could mean for South Africa’s economic strategy going forward.
