Latest news with #JohnSteenhuisen
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received best haul of gifts, Parliament register reveals
Each year Parliament puts out a Register of Members' Interests that never fails to provide entertaining and elucidating reading. It is more than 600 pages, so here are a few tidbits. Stuffed animals, 48 bottles of fine wine, a leather hat and shotgun cartridge case, biltong, a fieldbar cooler, four Nguni hides, a windbreaker, a mohair jersey and a beekeeping suit and instruction manual. This, you might think, sounds like the beginning of a potential wild night out foraging for honey while taunting killer bees in Constantia with either a taxidermied dassie, or a plushy penguin, depending on your interpretation of 'stuffed' animal. These are just a few of the cool gifts DA leader and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has scored so far since the Government of National Unity (GNU) kicked itself into life in 2024. Agrilove Steenhuisen experienced first hand the hospitality of the agricultural sector, which showered him with the abovementioned gifts. There are others including 'a tartan wool tie' from the UK Minister of Trade and Industry, and which we look forward to seeing the minister wear. Then there is an Ostrich RSA flag and various plumes 'for display in his office in Pretoria' — a very queer-eye-for-ministerial-decor moment. And the least appealing of the lot, 'a breakfast display/various cereals of unknown value from PepsiCo'. Steenhuisen pointed out that this was for the office, probably somewhere in a corner, maybe there by the photocopier. Added to this were 'various Macadamia products' and 'ostrich meat'. With regard to Steenhuisen's shares and other interests he ticked 'nothing to declare', said he did not perform paid work outside Parliament and had no sponsorships. He declared a townhouse of 112 square metres in Sea Point. The minister got to travel to Uganda, sponsored by the African Union, and caught a plane to bucket-list Bothaville, sponsored by GrainSA. Blues for Carl EFF MP Carl Niehaus, on the other hand, had absolutely 'nothing to declare' apart from his political genius (with apologies to Oscar Wilde). As an ordinary party-hopping MP the gift train seems to have passed him by. Niehaus, notorious for his fancy financial footwork, informed Parliament that at this point in time he had no land, property, shares or other financial interests, no work outside Parliament, no directorships or partnerships, no sponsorships, no gifts whatsoever, no travel, nada. No trusts, no income-generating assets. He lived in a rented 100 square metre apartment in Gauteng, and the only 'retainership' he mentioned was a 'public relations and media consultancy in his personal capacity'. 'Reputation in tatters?' 'Call Carl', 'Carl Niehaus' — (just a suggestion, take it or leave it). Commander-in-Chief EFF leader Julius Malema has had years of experience handling money, so one would expect astute future squirrelling. He had nothing to disclose in the category of shares and other interests, but did mention his listing as a director of Mgagao Shamba PTY, 'which is involved in farming, events, and sales activities'. 'Farming events' of course is open to interpretation, probably in the new Land Court later in the year. Malema declared no sponsorships but fessed up to a bottle of wine and Lindt Lindor chocolates, a gift from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. Perhaps Steenhuisen and Malema can arrange an evening of competitive wine tasting as a toenadering (rapprochement in Fringlish). The BaPedi Queen, Leganabatho 11 Manyaku Thulare, gifted the commander-in-chief two live sheep, which were valued at R7,000, said Malema. He also owned no land, no property and no rented property. He remained a beneficiary of the famous Ratanang Family Trust and was a trustee and beneficiary of the Munzhedzi Family Trust, along with Mantoa Matlala, Ratanang Malema, Munzhedzi Malema and Kopano Malema. The leader noted he was also a trustee of the Kopano Charity Trust, a trustee and beneficiary of the Mazimbu Investments Trust, alongside Mantoa Matlala, Ratanang Malema, Munzhedzi Malema, and Kopano Malema. MK finances Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and now an MP in his family project and the country's official opposition, the uMkhonto Wesiswe (MK) party, is as asset-free as her father, it seems. She had zilch shares or financial interests to declare and said she received no remuneration for work outside Parliament (this she does for free on social media). She has no directorships, partnerships, consultancies or retainerships. Zuma-Sambudla received no gifts (counting out the removal of Floyd Shivambu as secretary-general of the party), no loans and had no land or property to declare apart from a 60 square metre rented property in Cape Town's Waterfront. Over and above this, there are no trusts in her name. Former Transnet executive and MK MPs Brian Molefe, who handed himself over alongside Siyabonga Gama to the Investigating Directorate for Corruption (Idac) in June, had little to declare other than their upcoming fraud matter. Molefe declared 100 ordinary shares of nominal value in Karibu Farming PTY (Ltd) with no land or trust or sponsorships or gifts (those are in the charge sheet). Former Prasa Ceo Lucky Montana, also an MK MP, declared a directorship in the Montana Strategy Group involved in 'strategy development, consulting and advisory services but dormant since establishment'. Under 'Benefits and Interest Free Loans', Montana listed Midtownbrace (PTY) LTD 'investment into joint venture agreement for property development'. Mmusi Maimane's smarts Build One South Africa (Bosa) party leader Mmusi Aloysias Maimane appears to be more astute about planning for the future. He declared shares in two companies, 100 ordinary shares in Bokamoso PTY LTD, with the 'nominal value of R100' and described as 'consulting and trading'. He also declared 40 shares with a nominal value of R40 in Black Shots. With regard to work outside Parliament, Maimane said he had resigned from 'Phangela Security'. Directorships and partnerships declared were: Equanimity Wealth in the business of 'consulting and catering', the New Africa Foundation of which he is the chair, Bosa NPC, categorised as 'political work', and the MPO One South Africa movement. Under consultancies and retainerships, Maimane wrote that he provided 'security' consulting to 'Phangela to Bokamoso'. The swings and roundabouts of consulting, they say. Maimane declared no gifts, no travel or sponsorships. Property assets were disclosed as a residential home in Roodepoort with an estimated size of 1,000 square metres. (Take that, Carl.) The Bosa leader listed his involvement with the Kgalaletso Kgosi Trust, with beneficiaries being Kgalaletso, Natalie, Kgosi and Kutlwano Maimane. From the arms of Papa Former convicted bank robber turned politician and now Minister of Sport and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, of the Patriotic Alliance, is involved in more than 28 companies, either as a director or in partnership. He declared no shares or other financial interests or work outside of Parliament, but it is clear McKenzie has been building a nest egg since his release. Directorships and partnerships (since deregistered) in which McKenzie had a stake include logistics, media, mining and exploration, film and television, a micro brewery, a record label, health and wellness, night clubs and entertainment and liquid gas distribution. The companies listed by the PA leader were: Amantenda 523, Lexshell 138 (General Trading), Raystar Productions (film and TV), Gas Afrique (investments), Afrobrew Beverages (micro brewery), G Gas (LPG distribution) Dirbyn Utilities (general trading), Gayton McKenzie (general trading), African Australian Minerals and Energy (mining and exploration), Dirbyn Investment Holdings (investment), Daringo Trading 213 (general trading), Taboo Trading 189 (nightclub and entertainment), Megafone Telecoms (ICT), Halowiz Investments (investments), ZAR Productions (film and television), Dream Weaver Trading 445 (general trading), Dirbyn Publications (media), Gayton McKenzie Distributions (general trading), Tobiwell (health and wellness), Talirex (general trading), NSO What Trading (film and television), Nu Money Records (record label), Black Solar (solar trading), Damash Minerals (mining and exploration), Portkey SA (logistics), Hustlers Empire (investment holdings), Science Fixing (mining consultancy). McKenzie also listed the Patriotic Alliance under this heading. The register noted under 'Gifts and Hospitality' that McKenzie is mentioned as the source of a gift of 'Soweto Derby Soccer tickets' of unknown value to Ms Nonceba Bianca Mhlauli, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency. However, in his own declaration, he had nothing to disclose in this category. McKenzie declared no land or property and no trusts. Rise Mzansi Songezo Siphiwo Zibi, leader of Rise Mzansi and currently chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee on Accounts, was a former associate editor of the Financial Mail and former editor of Business Day. It comes as no surprise that he is familiar with the financial markets and foresees old age and retirement. It also makes him a perfect chairperson for the Standing Committee on Public Accounts as the man is financially literate. (Feel free to absorb any financial tips here.) Zibi listed shares and other financial interests in Absa Group Limited: 7,000 ordinary shares valued at R1.1-million; Investec Bank Limited: 3,050 ordinary shares, valued at R410,000; Shoprite Limited: 1,300 ordinary shares, valued at R377,000; Sibanye Stillwater: 1,000 ordinary shares, valued at R17,700; MTN Group: 1,300 ordinary shares, valued at R122,000; Ninety One Limited: 1,488 ordinary listed shares worth R65,400. Zibi had 'nothing to disclose' under the rest of the headings.
Russia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
South Africa seeking new trade partners in response to US tariffs
South Africa is quickly expanding its global trade partners as a solution to the United States government's 30% tariff on its exports, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has said. Steenhuisen made the statement as the US tariff increase on South Africa is expected to come into effect on August 1. 'The real solution lies not just in playing defence, but in going on the offensive. This is why we are doubling down on market access expansion,' said Steenhuisen, who is the leader of the DA in the Government of National Unity. The tariff deadline will come as the country waits for the outcome of the proposed US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, which seeks to impose sanctions against some ANC leaders accused of, among others, supporting China, Russia, and Iran, and mismanaging state resources. Delivering a keynote address at the RSA Group Stakeholder Dinner in Muldersdrift outside Johannesburg on Thursday, Steenhuisen said his department was reaching out to other countries looking for markets to sell the country's agricultural products. He called on the country not to waste time by being overly reliant, but to be productive. He said the country was already strengthening its trade alliances with the likes of Chile, Peru, and New Zealand 'to jointly lobby for fair and stable trade treatment of fresh produce' through the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters. 'Over the past six months alone, we have finalised new phytosanitary protocols for the export of avocados to China; table grapes to Vietnam and the Philippines; and maize to India,' he said. Steenhuisen said there were trade negotiations with Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. 'Our goal is simple — to ensure that no South African fruit producer is ever left dependent on the goodwill of a single trading partner.' He said the country was also strengthening its plant health systems, expanding traceability capabilities, and digitising its export certification platforms to align with the European Union's Green Deal and Asia's growing demand for sustainability-linked imports as part of 'investments that are not just defensive; they are the launchpad for new growth'. He said the country's agriculture has always been one of ingenuity, grit, and partnership. 'We have overcome political transitions, trade embargoes, droughts, pandemics, and port crises. We will overcome these current headwinds (tariff increase) too,' he said. Steenhuisen said that to avert the effects of new tariffs more quickly and effectively, the country must be united and pull together. 'My department is open for business, open for reform, and open for ideas,' he said. Steenhuisen said the tariffs will damage the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in September and is already under threat of not being renewed due to strained relations between South Africa and the US. 'Let me be clear: South African agriculture did not deserve this treatment. We do not dump, we do not distort, and we do not play geopolitical games with food,' he said. He said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) was leading the country's formal engagement with the United States. 'And we continue to work hand in hand with Minister Tau and his team to ensure that the full impact on the agricultural sector is well understood,' he said. Soon after taking over the US presidency for the second time, Donald Trump came down heavy on South Africa by signing an Executive Order alleging that the country was mistreating its Afrikaner community by enabling genocide and passing oppressive policies. He also accused the country of being aggressive towards his country and its allies, 'including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements'. 'The United States cannot support the government of South Africa's commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining of United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests,' read the order. In reaction, Ramaphosa led a delegation, which comprised Steenhuisen and influential businessman Johann Rupert, to correct misinformation about Afrikaners' treatment and straighten the relationship with Trump's administration. However, the first phase of passing the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, which, according to its author, US Congressman Ronny Jackson, seeks to punish ANC leaders, raised eyebrows. The act, which is now awaiting tabling at the full House of Representatives, accused the ANC's government leaders of undermining human rights by having a military and political relationship with the Russian government, which is at war with Ukraine. It accused the country of having allowed a US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, to dock and transfer arms at a South African naval base in December 2022. 'The ANC published an article in their newspaper, ANC Today, in October 2024, promoting Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine,' read the proposed act, which also accused ANC leaders of mismanaging Eskom and Transnet, and enabling the cholera outbreaks. University of South Africa's Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs' international affairs expert, Dr Bongiwe Ngcobo, said the US actions were designed to force South Africa to abandon the International Court of Justice case against Israel on the Gaza conflict. She said South Africa's BRICS membership was also a concern for the US. 'If BRICS strengthen and grow, then it means they will have a challenger, and it means they will have less control over smaller countries like South Africa and other countries from the Global South,' she published by IOL
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's proactive approach to finding new trade partners as US tariffs loom
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says the country was working on minimising the impact of the looming US 30% tariff hike on its exports. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers South Africa is quickly expanding its global trade partners as a solution to the United States of America's 30% tariff on its exports, said Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. Steenhuisen made the statement as the US tariff increase on South Africa is expected to come into effect on August 1. 'The real solution lies not just in playing defence, but in going on the offensive. This is why we are doubling down on market access expansion,' said Steenhuisen, who is the leader of the DA in the Government of National Unity. The tariff deadline will come as the country waits for the outcome of the proposed US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, which seeks to impose sanctions against some ANC leaders accused of, among others, supporting China, Russia, and Iran, and mismanaging state resources. Delivering a keynote address at the RSA Group Stakeholder Dinner in Muldersdrift outside Johannesburg on Thursday, Steenhuisen said his department was reaching out to other countries looking for markets to sell the country's agricultural products. He called on the country not to waste time by being overly reliant, but to be productive. He said the country was already strengthening its trade alliances with the likes of Chile, Peru, and New Zealand 'to jointly lobby for fair and stable trade treatment of fresh produce' through the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters. 'Over the past six months alone, we have finalised new phytosanitary protocols for the export of avocados to China; table grapes to Vietnam and the Philippines; and maize to India,' he said. Steenhuisen said there were trade negotiations with Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. 'Our goal is simple — to ensure that no South African fruit producer is ever left dependent on the goodwill of a single trading partner.' He said the country was also strengthening its plant health systems, expanding traceability capabilities, and digitising its export certification platforms to align with the European Union's Green Deal and Asia's growing demand for sustainability-linked imports as part of 'investments that are not just defensive; they are the launchpad for new growth'. He said the country's agriculture has always been one of ingenuity, grit, and partnership. 'We have overcome political transitions, trade embargoes, droughts, pandemics, and port crises. We will overcome these current headwinds (tariff increase) too,' he said. Steenhuisen said that to avert the effects of new tariffs more quickly and effectively, the country must be united and pull together. 'My department is open for business, open for reform, and open for ideas,' he said. Steenhuisen said the tariffs will damage the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in September and is already under threat of not being renewed due to strained relations between South Africa and the US. 'Let me be clear: South African agriculture did not deserve this treatment. We do not dump, we do not distort, and we do not play geopolitical games with food,' he said. He said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) was leading the country's formal engagement with the United States. 'And we continue to work hand in hand with Minister Tau and his team to ensure that the full impact on the agricultural sector is well understood,' he said. Soon after taking over the US presidency for the second time, Donald Trump came down heavy on South Africa by signing an Executive Order alleging that the country was mistreating its Afrikaner community by enabling genocide and passing oppressive policies. He also accused the country of being aggressive towards his country and its allies, 'including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military, and nuclear arrangements'. 'The United States cannot support the government of South Africa's commission of rights violations in its country or its undermining of United States foreign policy, which poses national security threats to our Nation, our allies, our African partners, and our interests,' read the order. In reaction, Ramaphosa led a delegation, which comprised Steenhuisen and influential businessman Johann Rupert, to correct misinformation about Afrikaners' treatment and straighten the relationship with Trump's administration. However, the first phase of passing the US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025, which, according to its author, US Congressman Ronny Jackson, seeks to punish ANC leaders, raised eyebrows. The act, which is now awaiting tabling at the full House of Representatives, accused the ANC's government leaders of undermining human rights by having a military and political relationship with the Russian government, which is at war with Ukraine. It accused the country of having allowed a US-sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, to dock and transfer arms at a South African naval base in December 2022. 'The ANC published an article in their newspaper, ANC Today, in October 2024, promoting Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine,' read the proposed act, which also accused ANC leaders of mismanaging Eskom and Transnet, and enabling the cholera outbreaks. University of South Africa's Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs' international affairs expert, Dr Bongiwe Ngcobo, said the US actions were designed to force South Africa to abandon the International Court of Justice case against Israel on the Gaza conflict. She said South Africa's BRICS membership was also a concern for the US. 'If BRICS strengthen and grow, then it means they will have a challenger, and it means they will have less control over smaller countries like South Africa and other countries from the Global South,' she said. [email protected]
eNCA
23-07-2025
- Health
- eNCA
Minister calls for overhaul of response
JOHANNESBURG - Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is calling for a complete overhaul of the foot-and-mouth disease response. Speaking at the National Indaba on the crisis, he urged tighter coordination and long-term reforms. The event comes amid ongoing outbreaks in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and the Free State.
Eyewitness News
22-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Steenhuisen: DA will support Appropriation Bill
CAPE TOWN - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, said that his party would support the Appropriation Bill on Wednesday as the National Assembly looks to finally put the national budget to bed. This follows the firing of African National Congress (ANC) MP, Nobuhle Nkabane, as higher education minister on Monday night. The party had previously said it would reject the budget votes of departments presided over by compromised ministers after President Cyril Ramaphosa axed MP, Andrew Whitfield, for travelling to the United States without his permission. ALSO READ: • Report on Appropriation Bill finalised for presentation to National Assembly • Parliament preps for possibility & implications of national budget not being passed Meanwhile, ANC chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said the timing of Nkabane's firing had nothing to do with appeasing the DA. After five months of unprecedented budget wrangling, the Government of National Unity (GNU) is expected to rally together on Wednesday to get the last piece of budget legislation over the line. Steenhuisen told EWN that it's enough for his party that Nkabane was removed from her job over corruption allegations related to the appointment of boards for the Sectoral Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for the budget to get his party's backing. He said his party would vote in favour of all budget votes, including that of Human Settlements Minister Thembisile Simelane, whom the party also wants to see axed. On Sunday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party was still engaged in crunch talks for the necessary support to approve the national budget. Meanwhile, Ntuli said that the firing of Nkabane is unrelated to the budget impasse with the DA. "It has much to do with whether the president has come to the conclusion whether this minister would be suitable to remain in that responsibility in the interest of that sector, of course the overall interest of the people of South Africa." The GNU is still expected to face opposition to passing the budget from the MK and EFF, both of whom have indicated they will reject it.
