10 Years after Beatification: How is the Daswa Sainthood Cause Going?

Ten years ago, the South African Church rejoiced as Bl Benedict Daswa was beatified. A decade later, Günther Simmermacher asked the promoter and vice-postulator of the cause about developments since that historic day.

Ten years after he was beatified at Tshitanini, Limpopo, devotion to the martyr Bl Benedict Tshimangadzo Samuel Daswa has been growing — and documentation for a reported miracle has been sent to the Vatican.

Fr John Kennedy SVD, vice-postulator for Bl Daswa’s sainthood cause and chaplain to pilgrims, serves fulltime at the Daswa shrine in Nweli, Limpopo. “My ministry focuses on the needs of pilgrims who come to the shrine,” he explained. “Many people have received favours, blessings, and healing. I believe he is a great intercessor.”

Fr Kennedy recounted one such moment during a visit to a sick woman in Phalaborwa. “I prayed with her and invoked Bl Daswa. As I was about to leave, she called me and said: ‘Father, I am well now.’ She remains well to this day. This is one example, but there are so many people who have experienced healing and restoration due to Bl Daswa’s intercession.”

A pilgrimage to Nweli is not only a spiritual encounter but also an invitation to walk in the footsteps of a man who lived his faith with extraordinary integrity. Bl Daswa was a father, teacher, catechist, and principal. “He stood against witchcraft and paid the ultimate price for his beliefs,” Fr Kennedy noted. “He touched the lives of Catholics and non-Catholics with his heroic virtues.”

Pilgrimages to Nweli

South Africa’s first beatus attracts pilgrims from across South Africa and countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Pilgrims have even come from Germany and Italy.

In 2024, the SACBC Youth Pilgrimage drew over 3000 young people to the Ave Maria Pastoral Centre to honour Bl Daswa’s life and legacy. “This event alone shows how devotion to Bl Daswa is growing,” Fr Kennedy said.

The 10th anniversary of Bl Daswa’s beatification will be marked with a special novena and solemn Masses.

Sr Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi OP, promoter of the cause, said that in May 2021 all documentation concerning an alleged miracle attributed to Bl Daswa was submitted to the Vatican. “Rome has confirmed that all necessary steps have been followed. In early 2025, we finalised the transcription and verification of the translated documents. Now we wait in hope,” she told The Southern Cross. If the reported miracle is accepted, the pope may announce Bl Daswa’s canonisation. He would become Southern Africa’s first canonised saint.

Devotion to Bl Daswa

While only the pope can declare a miracle, many Catholics report favours received through Bl Daswa’s intercession. “We continue to collect these testimonies, in case the current miracle is not accepted. But the important work is to continue encouraging devotion to him,” Sr Tshifhiwa says.

She explained that the faithful should address Bl Daswa specifically when they are seeking his intercession, especially in areas where evil is prevalent. “To recognise a grace as coming from him, we must not mix him with other saints in our prayers. If many saints are invoked, it’s unclear who interceded.”

Though measuring devotion is difficult, Sr Tshifhiwa notes an increase in pilgrimages since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more parishes and dioceses making the journey to Limpopo. “But we hope to have more people visit in large numbers.  This will then really indicate how widespread the devotion actually is.”

Fr Kennedy said that since the beatification, “we have seen many people coming back to the Church and growing in the Catholic faith because of the example of Bl Daswa, who stood for Gospel values and died for his faith in Jesus”.

Shrine developments

The shrine at Nweli has undergone significant developments in the past ten years. A grotto with the statue of Our Lady of Ngome has been installed, and fencing now protects the grounds. Rainwater tanks and paving have improved the site, though further funding is needed for ongoing maintenance.

There are also nine stations of Bl Daswa’s life, a 17-km walking pilgrimage starting from Thohoyandou’s Sacred Heart church to the Bl Daswa shrine in Nweli. Special guides are available to take pilgrims along the stations.

However, development at Tshitanini, the site of the beatification, remains stalled due to unresolved land title deeds. “The greatest handicap is that we do not have title deeds for the land. It does not seem we will be getting them anytime soon. Without the title deeds there is no point in trying and developing anything,” Sr Tshifhiwa explained.

Catholics across South Africa are encouraged to help the sainthood cause through prayer, pilgrimage and spreading devotion. “Prayer is the greatest help,” she said. “But visiting the shrine is also important. Ideally, every Catholic should make a pilgrimage at least once.”

Sr Tshifhiwa  especially encourages families, teachers, catechists, and those facing spiritual battles to turn to Bl Daswa. “He was a father, an educator, and a defender of truth. Those facing evil or fear can ask for his intercession.”

Pilgrims are welcomed at Nweli as parishes, dioceses, families or as individuals. Guides are available to assist visitors.

Fr Kennedy celebrates Mass for pilgrims at the shrine every third Sunday. These Masses are said specifically for all who have visited or requested prayers.

“I am also available for those wanting Mass celebrated at other times. People should contact us ahead so they aren’t disappointed,” he said.

The church is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00 for private prayer.”

For pilgrimages or inquiries, contact Sr Tshifhiwa at 076 570-8843

Published in the September 2025 issue of The Southern Cross magazine