CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Benedict Daswa gave his life to bear witness to the truth, working against the false beliefs, and this is why his cause for beatification is now underway. His cause for beatification was recently completed in its diocesan phase, in the Diocese of Tzaneen.

Benedict grew up in a traditional family in the town of Venda, Limpopo and converted to Catholicism whilst studying to be a schoolteacher. He fought against the use of false medicines and charms, and spread the practice of sports and other activities. On 2 February 1990, just days after having refused to pay a tax for the realization of a rite intended to expel several 'witches', he was attacked and beaten to death with stones and clubs. He was 43 years old.