Sequel to Long Walk to Freedom - Revision 2 - Chapter 4 Page 5

The Role of Deputy President Thabo Mbeki Because Thabo had spent many years in exile and had also interacted with comrades inside the country, he had a better knowledge than me of people best qualified to serve in the Cabinet. I accordingly allowed him to recommend to me members of the Cabinet. He made sure that all our national groups, as well as the members of the Congress Alliance were adequately represented. For good reasons, he left open the position of Deputy President. I approved his recommendation and then briefed in turn, first the SACP, then COSATU and last the ANC. I made it clear to all of them that, although I would welcome their comments, the final decision would be mine. A brilliant and loyal comrade, Raymond Suttner, who is now our ambassador in Sweden, reminded me that a previous Policy Conference had decided that the Cabinet should be elected by a national conference. I summarily rejected such a resolution on the simple ground that, in such a case members of the Cabinet would be chosen, not for merit but for popularity, or because they were supported by a powerful faction. 46