The ups and downs of the Grand Lodges in Southern Africa

[This article was printed in the March 1992 The Tasmanian (Australia) Mason
under Masonry Worldwide by L.S. Luckin, with the following introduction:
"Lexlie Luckin notes some salient points made in a lecture delivered to Lodge
Ra'anana in South Africa by M.W. Bro. C.B. Groenewald, Past Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of South Africa.  Note that there is a difference between
'Southern Africa' and 'South Africa' as the former includes territories such as
Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia."]

Freemasonry in Southern Africa rolled along quite happily until the years
immediately after WWII.  In 1771 the first lodge was formed in Cape Town.  As
the Cape was the most important settlement of the Dutch East India company this
lodge came under the Grand East of the Netherlands in 1772.  The first permanent
English lodge was formed in 1811, under the United Grand Lodge of England after
the second British occupation of the Cape.  Increased immigration from Britain
and the discovery of diamonds and gold resulted in the formation of the first
Scottish Constitution Lodge in 1860 and the first Irish Constitution lodge in
1886.

As early as 1875 the first call was made for the establishment of a "United
Grand Lodge of Southern Africa"- with negative results.  After WWII the
stresses between the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand East of the
Netherlands as to the acceptance of lodges that had been suppressed in lands
overrun by the Nazis led to a call for the dilemma facing Netherlandic brethren
in Southern Africa to be overcome by the formation of their own independent
Grand Lodge.  Finally, after careful consultation with the Grand Lodges in the
UK and authoritative advice on masonic constitutional law and jurisprudence, a
Grand Lodge of Southern Africa was formed in 1961.  All Netherlandic Lodges, bar
one, in South Africa transferred their allegiance.  Official recognition by the
British Grand Lodge assured a continued masonic relationship between the
constitutions represented in South Africa.  The only real change was that the
Grand Lodge of Southern Africa took the place of the Grand East of the
Netherlands.

"The inaugural meeting was held on 22 April 1961 and was attended by some 750
masons from all constitutions.  It was described as the greatest event that has
occurred in the masonic history of Southern Africa."  "Ironically enough the
impasse between the United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand East of the
Netherlands had, in the meantime, been resolved by the resignation of the Dutch
Grand Master, but the die was cast."

Some of the main points of interest in developments since 1961 are these:
Firstly - the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa entrenched the
right of every Freemason to receive masonic instruction in the language of his
birth or choice.  That goes further than the usual bilingualism of South Africe
- there are lodges where the language is German or Dutch.  Recently a Presiding
Master was invested in his own language which is Portuguese.  The Grand Lodge of
Southern Africa also permitted, subject to approval, the use of any recognised
ritual.  The only requirement was that the obligations, signs and other basic
essentials confirm to the practices of the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa.
There is a Jewish Lodge which, with the approval of the Grand Lodge of Israel,
labours according to the rituals of the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa.

Secondly - there is no racial discrimination at all.  Several years ago
discusson with the Government cleared the way for the attendance of Freemasons
from non-Anglo-Saxon communities at meetings of the Grand Lodge of Southern
Africa.  1n 1977 two new lodges, one in Cape Town and the other in Kimberley,
were consecrated to accomodate some mixed-race Freemasons previously operating
under the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.  There is an Indian Freemason
in a lodge in Cape Town and it is hoped that South African blacks will become
Freemasons in the near future.

Thirdly - There was a Commission of Inquiry called for into the so-called
"Secret Societies"- The Sons of England, the Broeder-bond and Freemasonry.
The judge of the Supreme Court who conducted the inquiry found that Freemasonry
was not a threat to South Africa.  The Commission lauded members of the Order
as being citizens with high ideals and moral standards.

Finally, in 1981, accepting that its field of jurisdiction could not
justifiably extend beyond the borders of South Africa, the Grand Lodge of
Southern Africa, with the consent of the other Grand Lodges, changed its name
to the Grand Lodge of South Africa.  That made it, in name at least, a national
Grand Lodge, and that is being progressively accepted more and more.  The
masonic scene in South Africa is somewhat unique, therefore, in that the
English, Scottish and Irish Constitutions have jurisdiction there and so the
Grand Lodge of South Africa cannot claim complete sovereignty.  The inter-
relationships between the four constitutions, however, on all levels, including
Grand Lodge, is presently of the highest order.  The Grand Lodge of South Africa
enjoys the amity and exchange of representatives with 100 other Grand Lodges.
At prsent there are 136 Lodges on their register with a total membership of
4051.

Like us - Freemasons in South Africa are now coming out of hiding and
proclaiming their services to society.  "There is also the inbridled conviction
that every energy and effort should be directed towards its re-establishment in
its rightful place in all stations of society in South Africa, which is a
complex society offering an exciting challenge to Freemasonry to play a
meaningful role to unite its people into one great nation."

Note:  Denys M. Luckin, our member in Tasmania, who sent us their publication
in which we noted this article, added a note:

"There were two Lodges in South Africa operating under a charter from the
Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (as related in the article).

"The Grand Lodge of South Africa always openly subscribed to and advocated
universal brotherhood irrespective of colour, race of creed.  This was clearly
shown on Saturday, 19th November 1977, when the two former Prince Hall Lodge
returned their charters and their Lodges (now 126 and 127 on the roII of the
Grand Lodge of South Africa) were consecrated by the Grand Master and the
Worshipful Masters installed, who then obligated and invested their officers.
Some members of these Lodges soon reached Grand Lodge status."

We reported this in SCRL Fraternal Review 414 but that is so long ago it bears
repeating.  It was prefaced with:  "When one hears or reads in the news about
racial tensions and problems, the probable culprit is South Africa."  Won't say
anymore - just think about it.


