Annette Steyn (born 2 June 1969) is a South African retired politician, formerly a Member of the National Assembly for the official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). Steyn was first elected to Parliament in 2009 and served in the Shadow Cabinet in various positions. She was also at one stage the DA Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson.

Annette Steyn
Steyn in 2009
Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
In office
5 June 2019 – 30 June 2022
LeaderJohn Steenhuisen
Mmusi Maimane
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byPhineas Masipa
Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
In office
1 February 2012 – 5 June 2019
LeaderMmusi Maimane
Lindiwe Mazibuko
Preceded byLourie Bosman
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Shadow Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
In office
14 May 2009 – 1 February 2012
LeaderLindiwe Mazibuko
Athol Trollip
Preceded byUnknown
Succeeded byKevin Mileham
Member of the National Assembly of South Africa
In office
6 May 2009 – 30 June 2022
Personal details
Born2 June 1969
NationalitySouth African
Political partyDemocratic Alliance
OccupationPolitician

Political career edit

Steyn previously served as a municipal councillor of the former Gariep Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, before her election to the National Assembly in 2009. She took office as a Member on 6 May 2009. Shortly afterwards on 14 May 2009, the DA Parliamentary Leader, Athol Trollip, appointed her to the post of Shadow Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.[1]

In February 2012, the newly elected DA Parliamentary Leader Lindiwe Mazibuko named Steyn as the new Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, succeeding incumbent Lourie Bosman. Kevin Mileham succeeded her as Shadow Deputy Minister of the Rural Development and Land Reform portfolio. Following the 2014 elections, DA Parliamentary Leader, Mmusi Maimane, kept Steyn in her position.[2][3]

In her capacity as a Shadow Minister, Steyn has suggested that the national government should provide drought relief to struggling Northern Cape farmers. She called for the Land Bank to allocate agricultural land to emerging black farmers. She proposed an SIU Investigation into corruption allegations at the Department of Agriculture. Steyn claimed in 2018 that a total of 85,000 jobs in the South African sugar industry were being marginalised.[4][5][6][7]

In June 2019, following her re-election, Steyn was named Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development by Mmusi Maimane.[8] Following John Steenhuisen's election as leader of the DA, he appointed her to his shadow cabinet in the same position.[9]

On 15 June 2022, Steyn announced her retirement from politics to spend more time with her family.[10] She resigned as an MP on 30 June 2022.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ Zille, Helen, Trollip, Athol. DA shadow cabinet - full list of names, Politicsweb, 14 May 2009. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  2. ^ Mazibuko, Lindiwe. The DA's new shadow cabinet - Lindiwe Mazibuko, Politicsweb, 1 February 2012. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  3. ^ The DA's shadow cabinet - Mmusi Maimane. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  4. ^ DA statement: DA: Annette Steyn MP Land Bank supports DA call to release land to black emerging farmers, African News Agency, 24 April 2018. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  5. ^ Corruption allegations at DAFF should be investigated – Annette Steyn. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  6. ^ 85 000 jobs under threat in sugar industry - Annette Steyn. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  7. ^ N Cape drought affecting livestock - EWN. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  8. ^ Here's the DA's 'shadow cabinet'. Retrieved on 22 July 2019.
  9. ^ Mazzone, Natasha (5 December 2020). "DA announces new Shadow Cabinet that will bring Real Hope and Real Change". Democratic Alliance. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  10. ^ Phillips, Lloyd. "Annette Steyn bedank uit parlement, politiek". Landbou (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  11. ^ @@AnnetteSteyn1 (30 June 2022). "As I end my last day in Parliament I want to say thank you to all our farmers and everyone else that crossed my path. It was an honor and a great privilege to serve you all. #Thankyou ⁦@FarmersWeeklySA @landbou @Our_DA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

External links edit

Political offices
Preceded by
Office esblished
Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
2019–2022
Succeeded by
Vacant
Preceded by Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
2012–2019
Succeeded by
Office abolished
Preceded by
Not known
Shadow Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
2009–2012
Succeeded by