Former deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield is returning to the Eastern Cape legislature to lead the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Whitfield, who was re-elected unopposed in February 2026 as the DA’s Eastern Cape leader at a congress in Gqeberha, is trading places with Yusuf Carrim. Carrim was sworn in last week to replace Whitfield in Parliament after taking up a role as a deputy minister.
Controversial National Executive exit
President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Whitfield from the National Executive in June 2025 for undertaking an international visit to the United States without prior presidential permission. This marked the first firing of a National Executive member since the Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed after the 29 May elections.
Defending his decision against severe backlash, Ramaphosa cited historical precedents, noting that both Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki had dismissed deputies for unauthorised international travel.
However, the DA condemned the dismissal as a “calculated political assault” on the coalition. Then-leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen, argued that Whitfield was targeted for fighting corruption.
A new vision for Bhisho
Whitfield takes over the opposition leadership from Vicky Knoetze, who now steps into the role of DA chief whip in the legislature.
Whitfield stated that his experience in the trade and industry sector would help advance proposals to stimulate the provincial economy, emphasising that the Eastern Cape should be South Africa’s most investable province.
“What we are going to be doing is leading a team in Bhisho that is going to build pathways out of poverty and into prosperity,” Whitfield said.
He added that the DA is aggressively campaigning ahead of the upcoming local government elections, ultimately aiming to bring the African National Congress (ANC) under 50% in the province by 2029.
Tebogo Tsape
www.sapeople.com
