Why John Steenhuisen’s Name Is Suddenly Everywhere

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you might have noticed John Steenhuisen’s name popping up more than usual. The reason? A surprising reveal from Uber Eats that sent South Africans into full speculation mode. The food delivery giant’s 2025 Craving Report dropped, and one detail in particular caught everyone’s attention: someone in South Africa spent close to half a million rand on takeaways in a single year.

Naturally, curiosity turned into online chatter — and eventually, finger-pointing.

The Uber Eats Report That Sparked the Buzz

Uber Eats’ annual Craving Report is usually good for a laugh or two, highlighting odd orders and impressive habits. This year, though, it felt more explosive. The report painted a picture of how deeply food delivery has become part of everyday life in South Africa.

Among the highlights were some eye-opening stats that quickly went viral.

What South Africans Ordered (and Ordered Again)

The data revealed a few national patterns that felt very on-brand. Fried chicken and pap topped the list as the most ordered dish across the country, proving that comfort food still reigns supreme.

Even more surprising was the dedication of some users. Over 1,200 people placed at least one Uber Eats order every single day throughout 2025, with many going well beyond the 365-order mark. That’s not a habit — that’s a lifestyle.

Then there was the luxury side of things. One customer ordered a bottle of tequila priced at more than R17,000, reminding everyone that Uber Eats isn’t just for late-night burgers.

The Half-a-Million-Rand Question

The real shocker came with the revelation that one unnamed South African spent R465,320 on 2,772 Uber Eats orders in a single year. That detail alone was enough to ignite social media.

Before long, jokes, memes, and pointed comments flooded X (formerly Twitter), with many users cheekily linking the mystery spender to Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and his alleged fondness for food deliveries.

Allegations and the Political Angle

The online speculation didn’t come out of nowhere. Steenhuisen has recently faced accusations that he used his political party’s credit card for personal expenses, including household items and Uber Eats orders for his family.

The timing of the Uber Eats report only added fuel to the fire, even though the company never named the individual behind the massive spending figure.

Steenhuisen Breaks His Silence

Addressing the controversy last week, Steenhuisen spoke openly about the claims. In an interview with BizNews, he responded to allegations that he misused an official Democratic Alliance credit card and also discussed debt linked to his personal card.

He was firm in his response, stating that there is an internal investigation underway and insisting he has been fully transparent.

“I Have Nothing to Hide”

According to Steenhuisen, all financial statements have already been submitted for review. He denied ever abusing party funds or using a party credit card for personal gain.

“There is an investigation currently in the party, and I have nothing to hide,” he said, adding that he has never misused party money at any point.

Where Things Stand Now

For now, the Uber Eats spender remains anonymous, and the political investigation continues. What started as a quirky food report has turned into a trending national conversation — blending takeaways, politics, and public trust into one very South African social media moment.