Fr Mathibela Sebothoma –Communication officer, Pretoria Archdiocese

The small town of Mooketsi in the Diocese of Tzaneen became a beacon of faith and inspiration as thousands of young people gathered for the third annual Blessed Benedict Daswa Youth & Young Adults Pilgrimage. Held from 29 to 30 March, the event was organised by the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) office responsible for youth and young adults in Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa. The Ave Maria Pastoral Centre in Tzaneen served as the venue for this spiritual gathering.

Bishop Rodrigues: Discipleship Comes at a Cost

Bishop João Noé Rodrigues of the Diocese of Tzaneen urged young people to embrace their calling as disciples of Christ, despite the challenges that come with it.

“Discipleship is costly,” he said. “Young people who follow Jesus must be prepared to pay the price. Blessed Benedict Daswa made a choice to follow Jesus Christ without any reservations. He gave up his life in obedience to the Word of God.”

Sr Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi: A Sign of Hope

Sr Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi OP, the promoter for the cause of canonisation of Blessed Daswa, reflected on his beatification as a symbol of hope for the Church in Southern Africa.

“The beatification of Blessed Daswa is a sign of hope—hope in the faith of the people,” she said. “Even though the Church in the Diocese of Tzaneen is not growing fast enough, the seed has been planted. We might not see or understand its growth, but it is definitely happening.”

She reminded the young pilgrims of the power of discernment, urging them to reflect on God’s will in their lives.

“There is a lot happening in the lives of young people that makes it difficult to make choices for God,” she said. “It is easy to choose friends or social media over finding purpose in God. Choosing God means being prepared to die—not just physically, like Blessed Daswa, but also spiritually and emotionally for the sake of the Kingdom.”

Remembering Blessed Daswa’s Sacrifice

Blessed Benedict Daswa, a convert to Catholicism, was martyred in 1990 in Tshitanini, near Thohoyandou, Limpopo. He was brutally beaten to death by villagers after refusing to participate in witch-hunts that led to the deaths of innocent people accused of witchcraft. He was beatified as a martyr on September 13 2015 at Tshiṱanini. His feast day is the 1 February.His steadfast faith and refusal to compromise on Christian values continue to inspire Catholics across Africa.

Fr Mahlako: ‘Young People Yearn for God’

Fr Motankane Mahlako, the SACBC Youth Chaplain, expressed his joy at the overwhelming turnout of young people at the pilgrimage.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel when young people turn up in their hundreds for a spiritual activity,” he said. “They have a yearning for God. It is true what Saint Augustine said centuries ago: ‘You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.’”

Fr Mahlako highlighted the sacrifices these young pilgrims made to attend, choosing faith over the distractions and temptations of the secular world.

“They could have been anywhere else, but they chose to be here,” he said. “This is hope. Pope Francis encourages young people not to lose hope despite the economic and political challenges they face.”

The pilgrimage was also an opportunity for personal growth. Many young people learned about the life of Blessed Daswa, the Apostle of Life, and sought reconciliation through the sacrament of confession.

Calls for Greater Inclusivity

Despite the success of the pilgrimage, both Sr Tshifhiwa and Fr Mahlako lamented the absence of certain national groups at the event. Sr Tshifhiwa observed that discussions about Blessed Daswa and prayers for his canonisation seem to be largely limited to African communities.

“The Church in South Africa remains a reflection of our divided society,” she said. “It is time for all South Africans to embrace this cause and include Blessed Daswa’s name in the Eucharist.”

Fr Mahlako, however, encouraged attendees to focus on those who were present rather than those who were absent.

“We must appreciate and encourage the African youth who continue to be present and committed,” he said.

Blessed Daswa’s Legacy: A Call to Deeper Faith

Sr Tshifhiwa emphasised that Blessed Daswa’s faith was ahead of its time, urging the Church in Southern Africa to deepen its commitment to Christ.

“It is not enough to simply come to church or recite prayers,” she said. “We must rid ourselves of the fear of witchcraft and evil forces. We cannot be Christians while still placing our trust in the same beliefs that led to Blessed Daswa’s martyrdom.”

Quoting Jesus, she urged young people to embrace their faith fully:

“‘Take up your cross and follow me.’ Let us choose life, let us choose eternal life to be with Jesus. Let us embrace this gift of faith.”

The Blessed Benedict Daswa Youth & Young Adults Pilgrimage continues to grow in significance, offering young people a chance to renew their faith, strengthen their commitment to Christ, and honour the legacy of South Africa’s first martyr. The organisers hope that future pilgrimages will draw even greater numbers and foster a more united Catholic community in Southern Africa.