Freemasonry in South Africa

Freemasonry in South Africa
Motto Deo et Collegio (Latin) (Translated: God and Order)
Formation 1772
Type Secret society
Membership
3300 [1]
Official language
Afrikaans & English
Grand Master
 Edwards, G.R.
Website

In South Africa, as in countries world-wide, Freemasonry exists in the form of Lodges. It is part of the word wide Freemasonry society.

Freemasonry

It is a secret organization.[2]It was founded in 1717.[3] Only men are allowed. [4]The organization has special clothing; its normally a black suit and an apron.[5]Some members wear a freemason ring too.[6]The goal of Freemasonry is to have regular gatherings and to look after each other and discuss the Lodge’s work. [7] They have secret hand signs.[8]Their symbol consist of a square and a compass with the letter “G” in the middle. The “G” stands for- geometry.[9] Normally members need to be 21 years old.[10] The building or room a Lodge uses is called a Temple.[11]

Freemasonry South Africa

Up to 1961

In 1772 a Dutch/German bookkeeper on a ship from the Netherlands to South Africa, Abraham Chiron started a Lodge, in Cape Town, South Africa. The founding members were[12][13]

Surname Name(s) Date of birth Date of death
Chiron Abraham 1746 1822
le Febre Jacobus Alexander 7 September 1738 10 May 1782
Gie Johann Coenraad 22 March 1727 23 July 1793
Soermans Pieter 1739
Brand Christoffel 29 June 1738 27 January 1815
van Schoor Jan Adriaan 18 August 1754 1797
de Wet Olof Godlieb 1739 6 December 1811
de Wit Petrus Johannes 31 May 1716 13 August 1779

They formed Lodge de Goede Hoop, which was part of the Grand Lodge of the Netherlands.[14] Today the building where they gathered is a heritage building in Cape Town and part of Parliament buildings[15]. In 1774 the first two South African born members, were initiated into freemasonry.[12] In October 1785 the lodge was struck off the roll of the Grand Lodge of the Netherlands.[12] Another lodge was formed in 1800 by the Dutch called de Goede Trouw Lodge.[16] With the British invasion into South Africa, English Freemasonry were brought into the country.[17] J.A. Truter (he was Chief Justice) took over as Grand Master in 1799.[18]The British and Dutch freemasons started to work together and became one. The new lodge called The Hope Lodge under the Grand Lodge of England.[19] C.J.Brand (he was a grandson of one of the founders of freemasonry in South Africa) was appointed Grand Master in 1837 (succeeding Pieter van Breda). Brand was an advocate.[20] J.H. Hofmeyr , Master of the Supreme Court, took over from Brand when the latter became ill.[21] The Dutch Reformed church was against freemasonry in Brand’s time as Grand Master.[22] C.C. Silberbauer[23](succeeded Hofmeyr) was Grand Master in the times when the organization in South Africa, had financial problems. T.N. Cranstoun-Day (the Grandmaster after Silberbauer) was adamant that lodge stayed pure English. Cranstown-Day could not speak Afrikaans.[24]

Grand Lodge of Southern Africa

It was formed independently from the Netherlands and the UK. Under Colonel C.G. Botha it was established on 22 April 1961. Botha was named Grand Master. [25] The motto of the Southern Africa Grand Lodge is: "Deo et Collegio". It is Latin for "God and Order"[26] In November 1977, the Lodge admitted non-white members for the first time, as the South African Freemasons, previously where exclusively a white organization. [27]

Grand Masters

Year term started Year term ended Surname Name(s) Date of birth Date of death Reference
1772 1776 Chiron Abraham 1746 1822 [12]
1776 1776 Gie Johann Coenraad 22 March 1727 23 July 1793 [12]
1776 1784 Chiron Abraham 1746 1822 [12]
1784 1799 Duminy Francois Reynier 4 October 1747 26 May 1811 [12]
1799 1804 Truter Johannes Andreas 11 October 1763 5 June 1845 [12]
1804 1813 de Mist Jacobus Abraham Uitenhage 20 April 1747 3 August 1823 [12]
1813 1831 Neethling Johannes Henoch 1 August 1770 4 June 1838 [12]
1831 1837 van Breda Michiel 12 August 1775 12 August 1847 [12]
1837 1874 Brand Christoffel Joseph 24 June 1797 19 May 1875 [12]
1874 1893 Hofmeyr Jan Hendrik 19 December 1818 25 April 1893 [12]
1893 1897 Faure David Pieter 11 November 1842 17 August 1916 [28]
1897 1944 Silberbauer Conrad Christian 23 September 1863 21 July 1944 [29]
1944 1957 Rose John George 11 January 1876 18 February 1973 [28]
1957 1966 Botha Colin Graham 15 August 1883 1 February 1973 [30]
1966 1973 Conradie Eddie [30]
1973 1983 Gasson Sydney Richard 16 December 1927 20 March 2013 [30]
1983 1991 Groenewald Cornelius Botha 24 June 1922 30 May 2009 [30]
1991 1997 Bauser Reunert Sidney 25 December 1928 28 December 2017 [30]
1997 2003 Lindeque Barend Gerhardus 5 November 1940 10 April 2015 [30]
2003 2008 Bowen John Thomas 7 November 1935 26 November 2013 [30]
2008 2014 Watson Armiston 26 November 1944 12 October 2014 [30]
2008 Edwards Geoffrey Robert 1945 [31]

Note: Until 1961 the Grand Masters were called Deputy Grand Masters, because it was either part of The Netherlands Lodge. There was close cooperation with Thomas Nathaniel Cranstoun-Day from the British Freemasons during the years up to 1961.

Members through the years

Prospective members may apply for membership.[32]They then going through a voting process by current members.[33] A prerequisite is that a person needs to belief in a Supreme Being.[34] A secret initiation process follow.[35] There are three degrees of membership in the Freemasonry.[36]

  • 1st - Entered Apprentice Degree
  • 2nd - Fellowcraft Degree
  • 3rd - Master Mason Degree

A member may resign from the organization, due to personal beliefs, as shown in the Pieterse case in 2008.[37] Banishment from the Freemans does happen as noticed in the Eastern Cape Saga in 2015.[38] Below are a few known South African public figure members.

Surname Name(s) Date of birth Date of death Comment Reference
Blignaut Pieter Jeremias 26 June 1841 1 November 1909 Government Secretary of the Orange Free State [39]
Brand Johannes Henricus 6 December 1823 14 July 1888 4th State President of the Orange Free State [40]
Botha Louis 27 September 1862 27 August 1919 1st Prime Minister of South Africa [41]
Burgers Thomas Francois 15 April 1834 9 December 1881 4th President of the South African Republic [42]
Cronje Pieter Arnoldus 4 October 1836 4 February 1911 General of the South African Republic's military forces [43]
de Villiers Johannes Hendrik 15 June 1842 21 September 1914 He became the Chief Justice of the Union of South Africa [44]
Joubert Petrus Jacobus 20 January 1831 28 March 1900 Commandant-General of the South African Republic [45]
Laas Johannes Casparus 1 February 1904 23 February 1972 Colonel -organizer of the Ossewabrandwag [46]
Langenhoven Cornelis Jacobus 13 August 1873 15 July 1932 South African poet [47]
Marais Jacobus Petrus 22 June 1900 8 April 1963 Founder and maker of Klipdrift Brandy [48]
Moerdijk Gerard Leendert Pieter 4 March 1890 29 March 1958 Afrikaans architect best known for designing the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. [49][50]
Oppenheimer Harry Frederick 28 October 1908 19 August 2000 South African businessman [51]
Pretorius Marthinus Wessel 17 September 1819 19 May 1901 First president of the South African Republic [52]
Preller Gustav Schoeman 4 October 1875 7 October 1943 South African journalist [53]
Reitz Francis William 5 October 1844 27 March 1934 5th State President of the Orange Free state [54]
Roos Tielman Johannes de Villiers 8 March 1879 28 March 1935 Opposition South African politician [55]
Steenkamp Willem Petrus 14 February 1879 16 July 1956 Clergyman from Dutch Reformed Church, who is known for erecting church buildings in Namakwaland [56]
Theron Daniël Johannes Stephanus 9 May 1872 5 September 1900 Boer Army military leader [57]
Visser Andries Gerhardus 1 March 1878 10 June 1929 Afrikaans poet [58]

Note- G.L.P. Moerdijk was also a member of the Afrikaner Broederbond[59][60]

References

  1. ↑ "GL's information". Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  2. ↑ Westmaas, R. "The Freemasons Are a Real Secret Society that Dates Back to The 1600s". Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  3. ↑ "United grand lodge of England". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  4. ↑ Millard, R. (17 April 2017). "Inside the Freemasons – new Sky 1 documentary explores the secretive men-only club". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Regalia". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "History of Masonic Rings". Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  7. ↑ "What Actually Happens at Lodge". 23 September 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  8. ↑ Buck, K (8 February 2018). "Freemasons definitely do have a secret Handshake but they won't tell us what it is". Metro news. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "12 Masonic Symbols Explained". Ancient pages. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  10. ↑ "becoming a freemason". Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  11. ↑ Mackay, H. (28 February 2018). "Freemasons explain the rituals and benefits of membership". BBC. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Cooper, A.A (January 1980). "The origins and growth of Freemasonry in South Africa, 1772 – 1876, page 16" (PDF). uct.ac.,za. University of Cape Town. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  13. ↑ "The first Settler at the cape Hans Conrad Guy (J.C. Gie), page 38" (PDF). Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "Masonic Hall - Lodge de Goede Hoop". Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  15. ↑ Lamprecht, M. (8 June 2014). "Parliament's secret temple revealed". City Press newspaper. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  16. ↑ "de Goede Trouw". Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  17. ↑ "The Founding Of The Sister Constitutions". Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  18. ↑ "Freemasons in the family". Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  19. ↑ "South Africa. 149". Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  20. ↑ "The Deputy Grand Masters of the Netherlands". Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  21. ↑ "Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr- a much loved Brother" (PDF). Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  22. ↑ "(Afrikaans)11. Negatiewe kritiek teen die Vrymesselaars (Translated: 11. Negative criticism against Freemasons)". Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  23. ↑ "Book:Lodge de Goede Hoop: Brother Silberbauer's Oration - On the Nineteenth Century".
  24. ↑ Dissertation presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Stellenbosch,Title -The effects of political, economic and social events on the order of Freemasons in South Africa, with some reference to the movement for the formation of a united Grand Lodge 1772-1961, page324, Author - Cooper, A.A., Publisher - University of Stellenbosch, Date - 1983
  25. ↑ "The Grand Lodge of Southern Africa is formed". Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  26. ↑ "Yearbook, page 3" (PDF). Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  27. ↑ "Freemasons open ranks". Argus newspaper. 16 November 1977.
  28. 1 2 "Deputy Grand masters". freemasonrysd.co.za. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  29. ↑ "The Deputy Grand Masters of the Netherlands". Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Past Grand Masters, page 27" (PDF). grandlodge.co.za. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  31. ↑ "Past Grand Masters, page 9" (PDF). Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  32. ↑ "Advice to those who seek membership". Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  33. ↑ "The members' pathway" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  34. ↑ "The Requirements to Join a Freemason Lodge". Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  35. ↑ "Masonic Rituals – Entered Apprentice Initiation". Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  36. ↑ "The Three Degrees of Freemasonry". Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  37. ↑ "Annual report, page 46" (PDF). 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  38. ↑ "Annual report of report of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master –Eastern Cape Division 2015, page 60" (PDF). 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  39. ↑ Muller, H. P.N. ,Title(Dutch) -Oude tyden in den Oranje-Vrystaat. Naar Mnr. H.A.L. Hamelberg's nagelaten papieren beschreven (Translated:Past times in the Orange Free State. Documents left after Mr.H.A.L. Hamelberg death).
  40. ↑ van der Merwe, J.J.P. (12 November 2013). "(Afrikaans) Vrymesselary voor die aanvang van die Suid Afrikaanse oorlog (translated: freemasonry before the start of the South African war)". Litnet. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  41. ↑ "Notable South African Freemasons" (PDF). Freemasons.org.za. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  42. ↑ Kleijn, A. "(Afrikaans)Voortrekkers, generaals en presidente was vrymesselaars (translated: Voortrekkers, presidents and generals were Freemasons)". Bronberger newspaper. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  43. ↑ Vermeulen, R. "Infamous Afrikaner mason traitors". Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  44. ↑ van der Westhuizen, J. (January 1980). "Our chief judges". De Rebus Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  45. ↑ "Prominent persons in history who were freemasons". Englishlodgeofs.co.za. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  46. ↑ "The curse of Freemasonry, page 65" (PDF). Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  47. ↑ Cooper, A. A. 1986. The Freemasons of South Africa. p178. Cape Town: Human & Rousseau
  48. ↑ Venter, C. "(Afrikaans)Majoor JP Marais: Die Skepper van Klipdrift Brandewyn (Translated- The creator of Klipdrift Brandy)" (PDF). Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  49. ↑ Swanepoel, F. "Verslag oor teenwoordigheid van okkultiese simbole in ons volksmonumente. Volksvergadering Majuba 5-7 Oktober 2012" (PDF). volksvergadering. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  50. ↑ "Geestelike erfenis van die afrikaner in Suid Afrika" (PDF). Ignited in christ. March 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  51. ↑ "Freemasons remember their Harry Oppenheimer". IOL news. 23 August 2000. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  52. ↑ Tucker, M. (1 August 2016). "The (secret) story that started with Piet Retief". Zoutpanberger newspaper. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  53. ↑ Zaayman, V. "(Afrikaans) Vertel my van vrymesselary (Translated: tell me about freemasonry)". Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  54. ↑ "GLSA: Annual Report & Yearbook 2011, page 60" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  55. ↑ Heymans, H. "(Afrikaans) Vrymesselaars (translated: freemasons), page 69". Nonfqai. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  56. ↑ van wyk, J. (16 January 2009). "Gesinsafdeling: Nieuwoudtville". Landbouweekblad Magazine.
  57. ↑ "(Afrikaans) Vrymesselary ten tye van die Suid afrikaanse oorlog (Translated: Freemasonry during the South African war)". Litnet. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  58. ↑ "(Afrikaans) Afrikaner leierskap: stewig geanker in vrymesselary (Translated: Afrikaner leadership casted in freemasonry)" (PDF). Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  59. ↑ Jooste, J.K. (September 2000). "An appraisal of selected examples of Gerhard Moerdijk's work (1890·1958)" (PDF). Technikon Pretoria. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  60. ↑ Fisher, R.C. (January 2006). "Moerdijk and the shadow of Baker". University of Pretoria. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
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