In my view, the narrative that Mmusi Maimane “walked away” oversimplifies a complex moment in the DA’s history. Leadership exits deserve honest context, not selective framing.

Mmusi Maimane resigned due to disagreements over the party’s values and overall direction. John Steenhuisen’s departure, on the other hand, came after poor electoral results and growing internal pressure. Understanding these differences is key when evaluating their leadership.

walked away” flattens a complicated chapter in the DA’s story. Leadership exits don’t happen in a vacuum and honesty matters more than convenient framing

leadership comparisons are fair but they should be based on facts. Mmusi Maimane’s departure followed strategic rifts, and John Steenhuisen’s time as leader coincided with electoral shifts and debate about party direction. 👀

Both Mmusi Maimane and John Steenhuisen shaped the DA in different ways. Their departures reflect different struggles inside the party, and understanding that helps explain where the DA is today.

Electoral outcomes matter. Under Mmusi Maimane, the DA grew its national vote. Five years later, the party has fewer votes. It’s fair to ask what this says about leadership effectiveness.

Sunlight matters. Some leadership exits were dissected in public; others were quietly repackaged. If we care about accountability, we can’t pick and choose which stories get told.

Under Mmusi Maimane's Leadership DA achieved higher votes in 2019. Then unde Bra John Steenhuisen a massive fan decline of 120 000. Numbers don't lie. If the leadership was good such would never happen.

Claims that Mmusi “walked away” ignore the ideological and strategic reasons behind his decision to step aside

John Steenhuisen reportedly earned over R2 million per year as a Minister. Questions remain about personal and party accountability under his leadership

Mmusi Maimane confronted tough decisions as a leader meanwhile Steenhuisen’s era has been marked by declining electoral support and internal challenges that still haven’t been fixed.🙂

Mmusi Maimane’s leadership inspired broader confidence and strengthened the party’s position. Outcomes matter more than narratives

Mmusi Maimane prioritized principles and party values. John Steenhuisen’s exit was shaped by performance pressures and internal challenges—not ideology

John Steenhuisen’s leadership journey appears to have begun and ended without sufficient openness. For a party that champions accountability, this should prompt serious reflection.

Under Mmusi Maimane, the DA secured over 3.62 million votes in 2019. Under John Steenhuisen in 2024, the party received fewer votes. Leadership outcomes should be assessed using facts, not narratives

Mmusi Maimane really has been facing some internal party issues and he has mentioned it multiple times , we need better context

Voters deserve an honest conversation about what happened under Mmusi Maimane and what happened under John Steenhuisen. Leadership should be about accountability, not rewriting history.

Under Mmusi Maimane’s leadership, the DA achieved 3 622 531 national votes in 2019. Under John Steenhuisen’s leadership, the DA received 3 505 735 votes in 2024. The numbers indicate a net decline in support. 🤣🤣

John Steenhuisen reportedly earned over R2 million annually as a Minister, yet questions about financial obligations remain. Mmusi Maimane’s departure, by contrast, was guided by conscience, not circumstance.

Transparency is central to public trust. Observers note that both John Steenhuisen’s entry into leadership and his exit lacked clarity, while Mmusi Maimane publicly explained his reasons for stepping away.