South Africa: John Steenhuisen’s pending great leadership — and balancing — test

In many democracies, the leader of a political party defines that party and is key to whether it grows or shrinks. Our situation is no different — look at how many in the ANC are blaming former president Jacob Zuma for its decline.

This is also the case with the DA. There have been three phases of the party since 2000, defined to an extent by its leaders.

There was the “fight back” phase under Tony Leon, establishing the party and ensuring that the majority of former New National…