Praise for Agriculture and Environment Ministries

Statement by Wendy Alexander MP – DA Deputy Spokesperson on Finance:

The 2025 GDP figures show the fastest rate of growth in three years, but at 1.1% leaves much room for improvement in coming years.

South Africa’s national GDP growth is significantly credited to growth in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors.

This is no coincidence – where the DA leads national departments, confidence, investment and growth follow.

We are proud to see economic growth in this latest GDP report, being led by sectors where DA national ministers are in charge. But now is the time for all sectors, and all roleplayers in government to put real commitment to reform and growth.

Under DA leadership, the agricultural sector was the fastest-growing sector in 2025, growing 17% year-on-year and making it the second-largest contributor to growth over the year.

2025 was a record year for agricultural exports: this is not an accident, this is the result of Agriculture Minister and DA Federal Leader John Steenhuisen’s focus on promoting the South African fruit sector all over the globe.

Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Willie Aucamp’s first 100 days in office have also been marked by a commitment to governing for growth. Swift action in the fisheries sector, for both large industry in St Helena Bay and small fishing communities across our coasts, will maintain this growth momentum in 2026.

Green shoots for the economy continue to sprout, an in a sense these green shoots can develop into leaves if all sectors move with the same determination as those the DA leads.

South Africa needs to be ambitious, and Ministers from other parties in the Government of National Unity should drive reforms as hard as the DA Ministers.

Growth is higher and forecast to continue to increase over the medium-term – but we will not be complacent because economic growth must translate into jobs and more opportunities. The DA does not govern to just see economic growth on paper, but we govern to see people in jobs, lower cost of living and more chances for South African to live lives they can value.

The DA will continue to push for economic reforms to move faster, whether in water supply, rail, ports, or municipal governance.

And the DA will ensure that public finances are oriented to growth, not wasted on ghost workers and ideological projects.

The DA is part of the GNU to undo three decades of economic neglect, to do everything we can to grow the economy for jobs.