South Africa’s First Potential Saint Celebrated as Defender of Sacredness of Human Life

Bishop Selemela highlighted Blessed Benedict’s refusal to contribute money that would support violence, saying the martyr believed it was his Christian responsibility “to defend human life and not to agree with people killing people unjustly.” 

Quoting Daswa’s stance, the Catholic Bishop said, “I am accountable to God, and therefore if human beings are not doing godly things I'm not going to be on their side.”

The Catholic Bishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in September 2022, following his appointment in July of the same year linked the message of Blessed Daswa’s life to the Church’s synodal journey, reminding the faithful that all baptized Christians are missionaries. 

Bishop Selemela reflected on the role of the family in nurturing faith, saying, “We have to go back to praying as a family if we want to defeat the devil.” 

He emphasized that the family is the foundation for forming “people who are responsible… people who love God and people who love service.”

Bishop Selemela called for sacrifice and self-denial in a materialistic culture. 

“We are very materialistic. We are very trendy,” he said, urging the faithful to live wisely and simply, embracing sacrificial love and service after the example of Christ.

He encouraged believers to embrace their missionary calling, saying, “You and I are also missionaries, and we must accept our own missionary vocation… Being Christians who follow Jesus, who love him, who have a solid relationship with him, and who feel that they are called by him directly—this is what the Lord is calling us to.”

Blessed Daswa was a teacher from Limpopo, Northern South Africa. He was killed by fellow villagers for his lack of belief in witchcraft, which he considered to be against the teachings of Jesus Christ. He was aged 43.

Born on 16 June 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 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. 

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. 

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. 

(Story continues below)

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.

The February 1 celebration commenced with a procession of prayer and worship led by the host Parish. A significant highlight for the pilgrims was the opportunity to venerate the relics of Blessed Benedict Daswa, which were displayed in the chapel.

​Reflecting on the day’s theme from Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” Fr. Andrew Shingange of Musina Parish urged the faithful to emulate Daswa’s unwavering commitment to Christ within the home. 

This message was echoed by mothers of the diocese, who provided reflections on how the "Daswa way" can help heal contemporary societal issues affecting Southern African families.

13 September 2025 marked the 10 years since Blessed Benedict Daswa was beatified to become the first martyr in the Catholic Church in South Africa. 

A miracle recognized by the Catholic Church is needed before Blessed Daswa is declared a Saint.

Jabulile Mazibuko contributed to this story