An account of his life indicates 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 caused by magic and thus demanded a financial contribution from each village to pay a “sangoma (traditional healer)” who would “sniff out” the witch.
Credit: Kati Dijane
Daswa, a staunch Catholic and non-believer in the magic narrative, refused to pay the tax, insisting that the lightning was a natural phenomenon.
While driving back home from a family errand on 2 February 1990 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.
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A wounded and heavily bleeding Daswa ran to a neighbouring woman’s house for refuge, but the woman gave him up after the young men threatened to kill her. Daswa was hit on the head, and hot water was poured into his ears and nose.
Credit: Kati Dijane
As he died, he said, “God, into your hands, receive my spirit."
During his burial on 10 February 1990, celebrants wore red vestments as an indication that he died due to his attackers’ hatred for his faith.
In his address during the September 13 anniversary Mass, Bishop João Noé Rodrigues of South Africa’s Tzaneen Diocese thanked God for this decade of grace since Daswa’s beatification and prayed for the spread of devotion to him and for his eventual canonisation as a saint of the universal Church.
Bishop João Noé Rodrigues of South Africa’s Tzaneen Diocese. Credit: Kati Dijane
“Blessed Daswa is a gift to Southern Africa and to the world. May his courage inspire us to live as true disciples of Christ,” Bishop Rodrigues said.
For pilgrims and Clergy alike, the September 13 celebration was both a thanksgiving and a call to renewed witness, those who spoke to ACI Africa testified.
“It was a great experience for me to be part of this celebration and to stand near Blessed Daswa’s relics,” Fr. Sanele Msomi from the Archdiocese of Durban told ACI Africa on the sidelines of the September 13 event.
Fr. Bongani Mativandlela was the MC during Mass. Credit: Kati Dijane
He added, “We learned about Blessed Daswa even in the Seminary. His witness as a family man is so encouraging, because many saints we know are Priests or Nuns. Blessed Benedict Daswa shows us that we are all called to holiness.”
On his part, Fr. Yakeng expressed joy at seeing the community embrace Daswa’s legacy.
Credit: Kati Dijane
“He is a model of courage for us. I pray that after today’s celebration, we see many fruits in our Parish and a renewed involvement of Christians in the Church. God chose one of our own to be an example of holiness—this is truly a blessing,” he said.
Keba Nyathi, Coordinator of pilgrimages in the Catholic Diocese of Gaborone in Botswana, also shared how significant it was for them to be present.
“Blessed Daswa is someone the people of Southern Africa can relate to,” Mrs. Nyathi said.
Credit: Kati Dijane
She added, “He was a family man, committed to his community and to God. Instead of building his own house first, he helped build a church. That is an example of selflessness that continues to inspire us. We wanted to be here to honour his memory and draw strength from his witness.”
Kati Dijane contributed to the writing of this story
ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.
Fr. Jacques Antoine Yakeng. Credit: Kati Dijane
Credit: Kati Dijane
Credit: Kati Dijane
Credit: Kati Dijane