Sequel to Long Walk to Freedom - Revision 1 - Chapter 4 Page 3

Before Professor Jakes Gerwel became Director-General of the Presidency and began to draft my speeches, the latter was done by Comrade Joel Netshitenzhe and Tony Trew. He can be polite and controlled in the face of unbear- able provocation. In the numerous meetings I attended with him as President of the ANC and later of the Country I have never seen him lose his control. But on some important occasions, Thabo would volunteer to help in draft. Among my staff as ANC President there were three women all strong, independent and outspoken. They tolerated no form of chauvinism either from me nor from any of my colleagues in the National Executive. No wonder they came to be known as the “three witches”. They were Barbara Masekela, who later became our Amb. to France, Jessie Duarte, now our ambassador in Moz. and Frene Ginwala. We had numerous discussion on a wide variety of issues and all of them were impressive. I earmarked Frene for the Speakership of the N.A. I am personally indebted to them because they helped to purge my system of all contempt for women.