Blessed Benedict Daswa “calling us to conversion”: South African Prelate

“It is men and women like Benedict that we need desperately to build up the real New South Africa, the South Africa we dreamed of 25 years ago, the South Africa with a new spirit and a new life in Christ,” the member of the Franciscan Order (OFM) added.

The 78-year-old Prelate reminded Christians, “The truth is that we are not really learning to be like Benedict Daswa, if we do not use today to make a new start; if we do not begin to believe and live as he did, even if it means dying like him in some way!”

He added, “one thing is certain, we will never build up the South Africa we all dream of, if we continue to loot and steal the resources and money needed to help care for the poor and needy.”

Born on June 16, 1946 as Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa to the Jewish Lemba tribe in rural Limpopo, the northernmost province of South Africa, he adopted the name Benedict upon converting from Judaism. 

An account of his life explains that a November 1989 storm accompanied by lightning strikes hit Daswa’s village, with a similar catastrophe being experienced three months later. 

The village elders believed that the lightning catastrophe was occasioned by magic, and thus demanded a financial contribution from each village to pay ‘sangoma (traditional healer)’ who would “sniff out” the witch.

Daswa, a staunch Catholic and non-believer in the magic narrative, refused to pay the tax insisting that the lightning was a natural phenomenon.

On February 2, 1990 while driving back home from a family errand at 7.30 p.m., he found the road blocked by fallen trees. As he removed the trees, a group of young men who had waylaid him in a nearby bush ambushed him and started stoning him.

A wounded and heavily bleeding Daswa ran to a neighboring woman’s house for refuge, but the woman gave him up after the young men threatened to kill her. Daswa was clubbed on the head, and hot water poured into his ears and nose.

As he died, he said, “"God, into Your hands receive my spirit."

During his burial on February 10, 1990, celebrants wore red vestments, as an indication that he died due to his attackers’ hatred for his faith.

A tombstone bought by his mother, Thidziambi Ida Daswa, a convert to Catholicism was unveiled during a special Mass in November 2000. 

In January 2015, Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing his martyrdom, which allowed for his beatification.

In the decree, the Holy Father described Daswa as, “a layman, father of a family, martyr, diligent catechist, considerate teacher, witness of the Gospel until the shedding of blood.”

Following the decree, Daswa’s remains were later transferred to Nweli Catholic Church in August 2015 in readiness for his beatification on September 13, 2015.

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An estimated 30,000 people among them his 91-year-old mother and his eight children attended the event held at Limpopo, and presided over by the then Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Angelo Cardinal Amato.

Cardinal Amato was quoted as saying in an interview, “The Holy Spirit transformed this young South African into an authentic hero of the Gospel. His heart was full of love for God and neighbor. Benedict Daswa is like the first martyrs of the Church who, during the persecutions of the Roman emperors, defended their faith with prayer, courage and forgiveness of enemies.”

Mutshiro Michael, a son of Daswa told Agence France Presse during the beatification, “Proud is an understatement to describe what I feel.” 

Pope Francis declared February 1 as Blessed Benedict Daswa’s Feast Day.