Star of the Rand History Page

No. 15, Grand Lodge of South Africa

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A look back through the mists of time...

In the last couple of decades of the 19^th century, the Witwatersrand, ("white waters ridge"), region of the Transvaal in South Africa, was a hive of activity, gold had recently been discovered, and in such abundance, that huge fortunes were being made, virtually overnight, and Johannesburg was, to be sure, the place to be, whether you were prospecting, or supplying goods and services to the community, or just wanted to be where the action was.

The dusty mining camp was growing visibly day by day, and, next to all the tents, a large amount of permanent structures had been built or were under construction. Shops, churches, houses, (some of good repute, others not), banks, clubs, pubs, theatres, and even a Stock Exchange were open for business. It was a bustling centre where you could buy anything imaginable for a price, often exorbitant. Stage coaches arrived daily bringing businessmen, priests, artisans, engineers, charlatans and many other hopefuls to the new Eldorado. Wagon trains lined up from Cape Town and Kimberley to Market Square laden with goods, provisions and luxuries for their consumption and pleasure.

Naturally, not long thereafter, the first Masonic Lodge opened in Johannesburg. It was a Scottish Constitution Lodge, No. 744 named The Golden Thistle Lodge, it was chartered on the 4^th August, 1887. Eight months later, on April 17^th, 1888, a Charter was issued by the Grand East of the Netherlands, (which had been operating lodges in South Africa from as early as September 1772), to a Johannesburg Lodge named Star of the Rand Lodge No. 71 in it's Roll. The next year, JOHANNESBURG LODGE, (English Constitution, No. 2313) received it's Charter and also began to labour in the newly established town of Johannesburg.

Ironically, at the Consecration of The Golden Thistle Lodge, the Charter Master, Bro\Asher Hart, (who, incidentally was a Past Master of Lodge Inanda, English Constitution), was away on business, and Bro\J. Kincaid, the Master Elect of Star of the Rand Lodge, (which was waiting for it's Charter), was symbolically installed, in his stead, as the First Master of The Golden Thistle Lodge. This anedocte serves to demonstrate how the first three Lodges in Johannesburg would become inextricably united.

The three Lodges laboured in amity and prospered, in the rapidly expanding metropolis, and after residing in a couple of unsuitable, or inadequate Temples, in 1896 they combined their financial resources and erected a magnificent Masonic Temple in Plein Street, which became their official domicile, (as well as that of other Lodges, that had since opened), until it's demolition in 1963, to make way for a new 5-star hotel, which was to be known as "The Landdrost".

In 1961, ninety-three of the South African Lodges, operating under the Grand East of the Netherlands broke away and formed what is now the Grand Lodge of South Africa, each lodge keeping the same number order, in terms of age, that they had before, but starting at No. 1, which was given to the Lodge De Goede Hoop, (founded in 1772), therefore Star of the Rand Lodge became Lodge No. 15 in the Roll of the new Grand Lodge.

Although the three Lodges now meet in different Temples, one of the traditions that has been maintained for over one hundred years, is that at the Annual Festival of Installation of each Lodge, the Presiding Masters of the other two Lodges, (who, incidentally are Honorary Members of each other Lodge), are invited to take up principal positions, (generally Senior and Junior Wardens), for the duration of the ceremony.

Star of the Rand Lodge sponsored a vast number of daughter Lodges, such as: Lodge Libertas, in Krugersdorp and Lodge De Broederband, in Pretoria, in 1891; Lodge Prins Frederik, Johannesburg, in 1893; Lodge Kaiser Friedrich, Johannesburg, in 1897; Eendracht Maakt Macht, in Johannesburg, in 1904; Star of the East, Benoni, in 1921; Star of the West in Orkney, in 1948; Star of the North in Pietersburg, in 1952; Lodge Golden City in Johannesburg, in 1956 and Lodge Eddie Conradie, in 1976.

To those who do not know it, South African Freemasons are extremely privileged in having the unique advantage of being able to visit Lodges of four different Constitutions virtually anywhere in their country.

The United Grand Lodge of England (since 1811), the Grand Lodge of Scotland (since 1860), the Grand Lodge of Ireland (since 1896) and the Grand Lodge of South Africa (since 1961), are all active and labour in fraternal amity, albeit strictly in accordance with the regulations and rituals of their Constitutions, meaning that you can see four different workings of each degree very regularly.

As an added bonus, there is in Johannesburg a Lodge still operating under the Grand East of the Netherlands named Eendracht Maakt Macht, (a daughter Lodge of Star of the Rand), which works a different ritual from the other four Constitutions. Their Festivals of St. John, (Summer and Winter), which are unique Masonic ceremonies, are well worth attending.

Another unique characteristic of both the Grand Lodge of South Africa and the Grand Lodge of Scotland, is that they allow their Rituals to be performed in languages other than English, which means that many Lodges here in South Africa conduct their workings in Afrikaans, Dutch, German, Greek, etc., where they kindly provide translation sheets to enable English speaking visitors to follow the Working.

Unlike other Constitutions, whose aprons are normally blue, the Lodges under the G.E.N. registered their own particular regalia colour. When the Grand Lodge of South Africa was formed, the Lodges that were under the G.E.N. were allowed to keep their original Lodge Colours, but any new Lodges formed thereafter, were required to adapt the Emerald Green colour for their regalia, which was used in the furniture of the Lodge as well as on their personal Masonic Regalia, such as collars, gauntlets, ribbons and edging of the aprons, Star of the Rand Lodge uses the Orange colour of the Netherlands. The Provincial Grand Lodges Grand Masters and Officers wear green and gold and the Grand Master and Grand Lodge Officers sky blue and gold.

(Visit the Grand Lodge of South Africa's Web Site to learn it's history)

The music now playing is "Voi che sapete" from "Le Nozze de Figaro"