R36 million to build Daswa shrine

"A fundraising effort to raise R36 million to build a shrine for Benedict Daswa will be launched" Father S'Milo Mngadi

September 17, 2015

Nyambeni Mandiwana 1 minute read

The Vatican's Cardinal Angelo Amato officially declared Benedict Daswa blessed and martyred to be recognised by all Catholics.

LIMPOPO – “A fundraising effort to raise R36 million to build a shrine for Benedict Daswa will be launched.”

These are the words said by Father S’Milo Mngadi at the beatification ceremony in Tshitanini, on Sunday.

The shrine will be built on the very same place that people gathered on Sunday and will consist of a Catholic Church, hostels to accommodate Catholic visitors during prayer and the Outdoor Amphitheatre for people to relax,” he added.

On Sunday Cardinal Angelo Amato, who was delegated by Pope Francis, performed all Catholic Church rituals and officially declared Daswa as blessed and martyred to be recognised by all Catholics across the world.

“We have exhumed his remains and reburied it inside the Catholic Church of Tshitanini for the time being. The remains will eventually be taken to the shrine.”

Ritual killings and witch-hunts spreading all over the country must be stopped. South Africans must rather honour the martyred Benedict Daswa’s spirit.

This call came from Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, in addressing 50 000 people of which the majority were Catholics at the beatification ceremony on Sunday.

Ramaphosa said ritual killings and witchcraft attacks should come to an end.

“Why do we still have ritual killings in South Africa? This is the time to stand up and say no to such activities. We must also stop xenophobic attacks. Daswa wanted to continue working for the people but those who didn’t share the same belief with him took his life.”