Politics

Willie Aucamp ready to deliver as Agriculture minister

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1 hour ago

July 1, 2026

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Willie Aucamp ready to deliver as Agriculture minister

Former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp believes he is up to the task of performing his duties well as the new Minister of Agriculture.

Aucamp replaces John Steenhuisen in this portfolio, following a request from the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis to President Ramaphosa to make changes to the DA executive.

Aucamp’s appointment comes at a time when the country is battling the Foot and Mouth (FMD) outbreaks.

Prior to his appointment as a minister last year, Aucamp served as one of the DA’s spokespersons.

Aucamp outlines his plans for the ministry.

“Before I became the Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment, I served in Parliament on the Agriculture Portfolio Committee. So, this is not new for me, I know a lot of the people there and I look forward to this and I believe that if we approach this in an inclusive way where we get every farmer, every organisation, everyone that wants to take Agriculture forward to work with us, and us work with them, we will make this successful. We are not here only to enforce such. We are here to listen to our farmers.”