When did Freemasonry start in South Africa?
1772
Freemasonry was brought to South Africa by members of the Grand Orient of the Netherlands in 1772. Today there are lodges chartered under the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the Grand Lodge of Ireland, as well as the Grand Lodge of South Africa.
When did the Freemason begin?
1717
National organized Freemasonry began in 1717 with the founding of the Grand Lodge—an association of Masonic lodges—in England. However, Freemason societies have existed for much longer. The most popular theory is that Freemasonry emerged out of the stonemasonry guilds of the Middle Ages.
Who started Freemasons?
The first American Mason lodge was established in Philadelphia in 1730, and future revolutionary leader Benjamin Franklin was a founding member. There is no central Masonic authority, and Freemasons are governed locally by the order’s many customs and rites.
How do I become a Freemason in South Africa?
How to Join
- Be a man of at least 21 years of age.
- Be of good moral character.
- Have a personal belief in a Supreme Being (the definition of a Supreme Being is a personal matter for each individual)
- Decide to become a Mason of “your own free will and accord” without expectation of any material gain or benefits.
Can you become a free mason?
Freemasonry welcomes men of every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion. However, to join Freemasonry, one must meet the following qualifications: Be a male at least 18 years of age (the minimum age varies in some jurisdictions, sometimes up to 21)
What happened to Freemasonry in South Africa?
Freemasonry in Holland ceased to exist and resulted in the South African component, being on a strong footing, assisting in the re-establishing of the Grand East of the Netherlands after the war. Grand Lodges all over Europe were starting to re-emerge after the war and the problem arose over which Grand Lodges should be recognised as “regular”.
What does the Masonic Lodge of South Africa stand for?
It is Latin for “God and Order” In November 1977, the Lodge admitted non-white members for the first time, as the South African Freemasons, previously were exclusively a white organization. Note: Until 1961 the Grand Masters were called Deputy Grand Masters, because it was either part of the Netherlands Lodge.
What is the history of the Grand Lodge of South Africa?
The three Grand Lodges initially tried to steer the negotiations in the direction of a United Grand Lodge but on 22 April 1961, the Grand Lodge of Southern Africa was formed, with Colonel Colin Graham Botha as its first Grand Master.
What is the South African Order of masonry?
The failure of making any progress in the formation of a United Grand Lodge caused some Brethren of the Netherlandic Constitution to form an entirely South African “Grand Lodge”, under the title of the “South African Order of Masonry”. Its first president, officers and Brethren were invested on 13 March 1952.
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