Sequel to Long Walk to Freedom - Revision 2 - Chapter 4 Page 3

OR's death was like the falling of a giant oak tree, which had stood there for ages dominating the vicinity and beautifying the entire landscape and attracting everything around, people and animals alike. It was the end of an era of a remarkable leader with strong and religious convictions, an accomplished mathematician and musician who was peerless in his commitment to the liberation of his people. The officials then agreed that Professor Kader Asmal, a knowledgeable, assertive and lucid thinker, who later became Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, and now Minister of Education, should succeed OR. His grasp of almost all problems discussed in the Cabinet earned him the distinction of being referred to as Minister of All Portfolios. We all felt that his appointment would help to reverse the wrong notion that the ANC was an ethnic organisation. I then briefed members of the National Working committee one by one on the recommendation of the officials. With one exception, all of them accepted that recommendation. 44