Steenhuisen’s ‘Weakness’ in White House Meeting Draws Criticism

(The Post News)-South Africa’s agriculture minister and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen, is under fire for what critics have described as a lacklustre and unprepared performance during a high-level meeting at the White House between President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delegation and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Political analyst Dr Imaan Buccus spoke plainly in an interview with IOL News, characterising Steenhuisen as lacking the intellectual strength and political command required for such a high-stakes diplomatic engagement. According to Buccus, Steenhuisen was “quite honest and quite weak”.

The criticism follows Steenhuisen’s failure to address the contentious issue of land expropriation, a long-standing point of friction between the United States and South Africa. During the meeting, Trump launched into a scathing critique of South Africa’s land reform policies, specifically citing the alleged targeting of white Afrikaner farmers, a claim often amplified by conservative U.S. media but widely disputed by South African authorities.

Observers say the South African delegation appeared unprepared and lacking a unified message, with no clear talking points offered in response to Trump’s accusations.

“It was as if they were caught completely off guard,” noted one diplomatic correspondent, adding that the absence of a robust reaction to Trump’s assertions conveyed the incorrect signal, suggesting that the South African government is either unclear of its own policies or afraid to defend them on the global arena.

The Democratic Alliance has not formally responded to the remarks made by Dr Buccus, nor has Steenhuisen issued a public statement addressing the criticism.

The fallout from the meeting is likely to raise questions about the preparedness and diplomatic readiness of South African officials representing the country abroad, particularly on polarising domestic issues that carry international implications.

With South Africa continuing to face scrutiny over its land reform programme, the episode has sparked a broader debate about the need for strategic communication and stronger leadership in international engagements.

About the Author

Mampho Modise

Author

View All Posts