Remarks by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on the occasion of the beatification of the servant of God, Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa, Tshitanini, Limpopo
I offer my warmest greetings to Bishop Joao Rodrigues, Bishop of the Tzaneen Diocese, His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Amato SDB, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and representative of His Holiness Pope Francis, Cardinal Wilfred Napier, Archbishop Stephen Brislin, the Daswa family, all celebrants at this Beatification Mass
It is an honour to be with you today at this very special celebration.
The Roman Catholic family and all South Africans are witnessing history today with the beatification of the Servant of God Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa.
On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, I extend our warmest regards and congratulations on this historic occasion.
This is an occasion in which millions of South Africa will share with deep faith and affection.
This is the first time in the history of the Catholic Church of Southern Africa that a South African man is being recognised as a Blessed Martyr of Christ.
This is, therefore, a special honour for the Church in this region.
But it is also an extraordinary honour for the Daswa Family, who tragically lost a 43 year old son and father on the second of February 1990.
Benedict Daswa died after being ambushed by people opposed to his outspoken rejection of witchcraft and witch-hunts.
He paid the ultimate price for his beliefs on the same day that the then President FW de Klerk announced the unbanning of our liberation movements and the release of our beloved Nelson Mandela.
Such is the often dramatic confluence of events in our beloved country.
Today we remember TS Benedict Daswa as a man who led a holy life, not in isolation of the social realities around him, but rather deeply engaged with these realities.
He was a good family man, a hard worker and active member of his community, inspired by his faith.
His fearless ministry cost him his life, but has caused the Church 25 years after his death - to accord him the status of being part of "the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us”, as it is described in the Letter to the Hebrews.
This is a day of mixed emotions and thoughts.
It is a day of profound faith, and a day of remembrance, sadness and pride.
And may this also be a day when we renew our commitment to building a society free of ignorance, intolerance and violence.
This should be a day on which we set out to replicate the mission and passion of Benedict Daswa in the lives of millions of people in our country and on our Continent.
In so doing, we will hopefully rid our society of the evils that led to the untimely and horrific death of this youthful patriot and community builder.
Let us commit ourselves anew to a better life for all South Africans and for all the people of this world.
I thank you.
Issued by The Presidency, 14 September 2015
