Was Minister John Steenhuisen once a dog shampoo salesman?
DA leader John Steenhuisen has been appointed the new Minister of Agriculture following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle.
Who is the man who is responsible for driving the process of economic development and significantly contributing to household food security?
Does he have the academic qualifications and experience to fulfil his duties?
WAS JOHN STEENHUISEN A DOG SHAMPOO SALESMAN?
In the build-up to the elections in May, John Steenhuisen’s academic qualifications and experience in politics were a big talking point by fellow politicians.
Former DA member and now GOOD party leader Patricia De Lille told EWN of Steenhuisen: “He sounds like a second-hand car salesman, or a dog shampoo salesman because that’s what it used to be. And he doesn’t understand how democracy works. Because, he never fought for this democracy”.
Political commentator Jamie Mighti added in a tweet: “What does a dog shampoo salesman know about commercial farming and agriculture? What does he know about zoology and economics?”
In his official LinkedIn account, John Steenhuisen does not mention any experience as a dog shampoo salesperson.
Despite finishing school in 1993, his first-known position was that of a ward councillor in 1999, at the age of 22. He then rose through the ranks to become the leader of the DA in 2019.
Meet the new Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen. Image via X @our_da
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS REVEALED
Unlike other political party leaders and ministers, 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.
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.
