EDITOR’S NOTE

IT’S been a tough week for women’s rights. But actually, it was simply a normal week, another period where women are abused day in and day out.

This week there was just more heightened awareness and disgust shown about this scourge, and a deputy minister threw his hat in the ring among those vying for South Africa’s most hated abusers.

But the story of the week was undoubtedly the no-confidence vote in Parliament on Tuesday.

The majority of our readers who took part in a snap survey were not surprised by the outcome (see @Sundaytribunesa). And what do you think about this idea of dissolving Parliament and starting afresh? Our newspaper’s stand is on page 16. Speaker Baleka Mbete puts it more bluntly (see page 4). It’s not just a no for her but a never.

During this week of Women’s Day, scores of God’s people, the majority of whom were women, took to the streets to show support for Pastor Tim Omotoso despite the serious charges of sexual assault and human trafficking he is facing (page 5). But what about support for his alleged victims?

In this issue we also try and help you understand the meaning of some incredible women’s lives, including the enigmatic Winnie Madikizela-mandela (pages 8 and 15).

After the release of former National Intelligence head Niël Barnard’s book about our negotiated dispensation, the Prince of Kwaphindangene felt obliged to respond (see page 17).

We also have something from a regular contributor who was in Kenya during the elections where he learnt something about the askaris. And it’s no insult to any comrade. But epistemic laziness must be a big insult to an intellectual like the ANC’S guru, Joel Netshitenzhe (see page 17).

That’s not me writing, it’s in a piece responding to the guru. Let the robust debate continue.