Bible quote gets council in tizz

A WOMAN must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man and she is to remain quiet.

This was the Women’s Month message from Patriotic Alliance member Marlon Daniels, quoting a verse from the Bible at yesterday’s council meeting.

His comments drew gasps from councillors, journalists and members of the public.

He was among the host of political party members who shared a message on their understanding of Women’s Month before the official council business began.

The quotation was from Timothy 2, verses 11 and 12.

“A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness” he said.

“Having read that and believing that we are all believers, I trust this message will sink in with women during this month.”

He said he hoped to salute women during Women’s Month with that message.

He was lambasted by EFF councillor Zilindile Vena, who urged speaker Jonathan Lawack to call him to order for imposing his “chauvinistic and sexist” views.

But Lawack said Daniels had not transgressed any council rules.

Amid murmuring and heckling, Daniels said: “I would like to pay tribute to women especially after I witnessed the birth of my children.

“I gained a respect for women. There are women such as Katy Gelvan, after whom Gelvandale is named, Ruth First and Winnie Mandela.

“Those people have contributed a lot to the liberation of this country.”

Vena refused to accept his message, saying: “In protection of Christianity, he must never quote the Bible out of context.

“He must never use the Bible to advance his chauvinist views.”

Asked later what the thinking behind the statement was, Daniels said he had merely been trying get a reaction from the women in the council and had expected a backlash.

“I just wanted to wake everybody up,” he said.

“We know how strong women are and I have the greatest respect for women.

“I just wanted to come with two contradicting stories.”