A school principal, Daswa was stoned to death for his Catholic beliefs 25 years ago and his beatification is due to take place during a ceremony at the Benedict Daswa Shrine in Tshitanini near Thohoyandou on Sunday.
His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, will represent Pope Francis at the celebration.
This beatification is the first step towards canonisation (being bestowed sainthood), and also means that people will be allowed to publicly venerate Daswa.
“Following the beatification ceremony, Daswa will be referred to as the Blessed Benedict Daswa,” explained Catholic Church national media liaison officer, Father Smilo Mngadi.
He added that when Daswa reached sainthood, his name would be included in the litany of saints.
Daswa was brutally murdered on 2 February, 1990 by a group of people who clubbed him to death with knobkerries and poured boiling water in his ears and nostrils to ensure that he was dead.
