Blessed Benedict Daswa

Benedict Daswa (born Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa; 16 June 1946 – 2 February 1990), was a South African school teacher and principal. He was given the name of "Samuel" by his parents when he started to attend school and assumed the name "Benedict" upon his conversion to Catholicism. A local mob murdered him after he refused to pay support for anti–Christian superstition. His martyrdom was confirmed by the Catholic Church in 2015, paving the way for his beatification. He was beatified in Limpopo on 13 September 2015. Cardinal Angelo Amato – on behalf of Pope Francis – presided over the beatification Mass. Benedict Daswa was born as Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa on 16 June 1946 in South Africa and was a member of the Lemba people. He was the first child born to Tshililo Petrus Daswa (Bakali) and Thidziambi Ida Daswa (Gundula). This tribe followed Jewish rituals and laws. Daswa had three younger brothers and one sister: Thanyani Mackson, Muvhulawa Calson, Thinavhuyo Mavis and Humbulani Innocent. Daswa worked as a herd boy before he attended school which started at Vondwe Primary School in 1957 which was followed by secondary school at Mphaphuli High School. After his father's accidental death, it fell to him to provide for his siblings and did so by paying for their education while in the workforce. He constantly encouraged them to take pride in their studies. Daswa was exposed to Roman Catholicism through a friend he met while in Johannesburg while living with an uncle there. He learnt about the Catholic faith and learnt catechism every Sunday from Benedict Risimati. After two years of instruction, Daswa was baptized on 21 April 1963 by the priest Augustine O'Brien. He took the name of "Benedict" due to the fact that he was inspired by Benedict of Nursia, also selecting as his life motto "Ora et labora" (pray and work). He was confirmed by Abbot Bishop F. Clemens van Hoek three months later on 21 July 1963.