The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has announced plans to “co-govern South Africa in the spirit of unity and collaboration.”
The move marks the implementation of the government of national unity (GNU) between the DA, the African National Congress (ANC), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
But what qualifications does the 48-year-old politician have?
JOHN STEENHUISEN: WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES DA LEADER HAVE?
Unlike other political party leaders, John Steenhuisen does not have a university degree.
In a clip posted on social media last month, John revealed that he had cast his vote at his alma mater, Northwood Boys High School in Durban, where he had matriculated in 1993.
Today I cast my ballot for the 2024 General Election at Northwood School in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
This is a critical election for South Africa and tomorrow can be a better country but only if we vote for it.
Rescue SA, Vote DA. pic.twitter.com/GQPI7YQtGf
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) May 29, 2024
In 2018, a year before he succeeded Mmusi Maimane as DA leader, John’s lack of qualifications was a source of scrutiny amongst other political parties.
During a debate in the National Assembly, John revealed he had, in fact, enrolled in a university at Unisa. However, financial constraints had forced him to drop out.
He said: “Let me make it clear. I do not have a university degree, I have never pretended to have it. I wrote for BA in Politics and Law, but because of duty pressures and financial pressures, I could not finish it.
John Steenhuisen was part of his school’s debating team.
Image via Facebook: Northdwood School
He continued: “I am not afraid of this … and you can as much as you like … I am not ashamed of this because I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a public representative.”
While he may not have a degree, John Steenhuisen did excel during his brief studying stint.
In a tweet posted in late 2018, John shared several certificates of merit for attaining distinctions in various political modules.
“I did rather well,” he tweeted.
It’s “matric” and you’re also not factually correct (surely a requirement for an “award winning broadcast journalist”) I completed Matric in 1993 and enrolled at university where I did rather well. But I suppose like the organisation you represent, the facts don’t matter. pic.twitter.com/whLFo0ARrK
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) December 19, 2018
SA’S UNIVERSITY DROPOUT STATS
According to a study by Fundi, up to 60% of tertiary students in South Africa drop out after their first year.
Apart from financial reasons, several other factors force students to abandon their studies.
Work and family commitments
Not being academically prepared
The social pressure of varsity life
Choosing the wrong course
Lack of support and pressure from family
DA STANCE ON NSFAS
Meanwhile, John Steenhuisen has called on the government to dissolve the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) over allegations of corruption and bribery.
The DA is hoping to shut down the scheme, which they believe is “highly unsustainable considering declining levels of economic growth, the shrinking tax base, and poor fiscal management.
Instead, the party is proposing an alternative through “government loans with favourable repayment conditions.”
They also believe that loans should be converted to bursaries based on academic performance to incentivise a better throughput rate at institutions.
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