South Africa Lodge (No. 6742): 75th Anniversary Talk
Composed and delivered by: W.Bro Dr Kimon de Ridder, PAGStdB PZ
The significance of an anniversary talk, in my view, is to act as a narrative reflection on our past, a visual reminder of our present, and a virtual roadmap from a point and place in time in a Lodge’s history as it journeys into the future. It is a reflection on the history of the Lodge and those who came before us and laid the foundations on which we now build; it acts as a reminder of why we engage in Masonry and what makes South Africa Lodge a happy, shared home to its members both near and far; and it constitutes an aspiration for the future that we hope others will build on the solid foundations we lay today.
The Freemasons’ Chronicle on 2nd October 1948 noted that the Consecration of South Africa Lodge (No. 6742) in Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street on Monday, 6th September 1948, with the signal honour of having the MW, the Grand Master, himself, His Grace, the Duke of Devonshire KC. The sponsoring Lodge was The Royal Colonial Institute Lodge (No. 3556).
The opening remarks of the Grand Master reflected his warmest welcome to the Founders of South Africa Lodge, and he stated that it was “a source of special happiness” to him to bring the Lodge into being, for its Masonic usefulness “was likely to prove very great in the years to come for residents past, or present, in that great country after which it was named”.
“In the era of transition through which we are passing, no thoughtful person could view unconcerned the grave danger threatening Man’s future happiness and peace which lurks in the growing tendency, not only to regard Truth as a non-essential in human relationships, but also to treat all Virtues as old-fashioned and out-dated. As Masons, it is our responsibility to see that those ‘ancient landmarks’ of a civilised community are not removed, that they are maintained both within and outside the Lodge” – these words delivered by VW, the Reverend J Moffett, PG `Chaplin and the consecrating Chaplain of South Africa Lodge – remain as pertinent to us today as they did when they were first delivered 75 years’ ago.
We have been honoured in having a number of highly distinguished, and accomplished, men and Masons amongst our ranks in this Lodge, over the past 75 years.
Louis Oppenheimer was one of our Founding members and, in turn, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer joined the Lodge on 14th June 1950, while his son, Harry Oppenheimer, joined the Lodge on 15th April 1953 and remained a member all his life.
Ernest was the son of a Jewish merchant from Frankfurt, and he arrived in London at the age of 16 to work for a firm of diamond merchants in Hatton Garden. In 1902, he was sent to join his elder brother, Bernard, in the diamond trade in Kimberley, South Africa. With his strong personality and financial acumen, he soon made a fortune and emerged to command the mining industry across South Africa. He founded Anglo American in 1917 and he was knighted in 1921.
In turn, his son, Harry Oppenheimer (who died on 19th August 2000 at the age of 91) was the last of the Randlords, those mining magnates who controlled the diamond and gold mining industries of South Africa. He led Anglo American from 1957 (on the death of his father, Sir Ernest) until 1982; and during his tenure, there was hardly a sizeable business in South Africa, from newspapers to brewing companies, in which his company did not have a stake. Together with Anglo American’s mining interests, De Beers (also owned by the Oppenheimer family) regulated the sale of 80% of the world’s diamonds through its Central Selling Organisation.
At the time he took over from his father in 1957, Harry was in control of nearly 40% of South Africa’s gold production, half its coal, nearly one-sixth of the world’s copper production and most of it diamond production.
Another of our Founding Members, and the second WM of the Lodge, was Leif Egeland. At the time of the Lodge’s consecration, he was the High Commissioner of the Union of South Africa to the Court of St. James. Prior to this, he had a distinguished career as an accomplished barrister, scholar and diplomat; and, at the age of 32, a Founder Member of the United Nations, and he worked on drafting the UN Charter. He was also present at the final assembly of the League of Nations. He was a personal friend of General Jan Smuts and King Gustav of Sweden, and he set up the Institute of International Affairs at Wits University.
He was described by his daughter as a “great and good man”, and in his obituary she went on to state that her father only had three great heroes in his life – General Smuts, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. Of whom he met and knew both Smuts and Mandela.
While it is interesting to reflect on the substantial and international achievements of some of our members, this Lodge (like most) only functions through the tireless work, over many years, of outstanding Masons. Men such as Les Brazier, Colin Golding, Jim Ritchie, Dave Seeley, Clive Bamford, Philip Read, Ted Hawley and James Dow. All of whom, have been and are, loyal supporters, excellent ritualists and decent and honourable men. And if you will indulge me in further reflecting on one of this group. I would like to acknowledge the debt of gratitude that this Lodge owes to James Dow, who remains one of the most accomplished Masons I have the privilege of knowing and calling a friend. In his 50 years in Masonry, and his more than 20 years of association with South Africa Lodge, James has been a driving force in ensuring the viability, stability and continued success of the Lodge. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I can no longer recall how many times I have had the pleasure over the years of James phoning me, and beginning the conversation with his inimitable phrase: “Doc, I have an idea for the Lodge…”. He has encouraged many of us to progress our Masonic careers, he has been a Mentor to me and many, and he has provided guidance and insight on Masonic etiquette and protocols, laws and regulations with precision and accuracy. He has done all of this selflessly and he has taken pride in the successes of those whose Masonic journeys he has helped to shape.
In short, James Dow is what a man should aspire to be and the characteristics that a Mason should embody – to be honourabe, trustworthy and dedicated – and our Lodge is the better for having him as a member, and individually, we are better for having him as a friend.
Masonry has been a constant anchor throughout the ebbs and flows of human existence, the changing norms of society, and the evolving aspirations of younger generations of men. It has provided a common grounding to those who join as members and as they journey through the intricate pathways of their lives and their self-discovery as men.
In doing so, Masonry in general, and South Africa Lodge throughout its 75 year history, in particular, have shown an ability to adapt to the rapid evolution in communications and the work demands of a younger generation, and they have remained resilient against the backdrop of changing political landscapes and public opinions surrounding them. Freemasonry has been able to do so without compromising its fundamental principles which remain as relevant today as they did 300 years’ ago.
South Africa Lodge today speaks to the needs of a younger, more diverse group of likeminded individuals than at any time since our Consecration; and while I am sure that our Founders could not have envisaged the precise professions, interests, backgrounds and membership of our Lodge today, I am sure that they would be proud of the fact that the foundation stone that they laid all those years ago, now stands as the base of a thriving and happy Lodge. One in which every member, irrespective of social or professional background, is treated with dignity, acknowledged with respect and valued with friendship. So, too, we (the current members) are the Custodians of the Lodge, at this time and at this place.
We do so not with the aspiration of glory, or the hope of remembrance, but we do so to honour the commitment of those who have passed before us, each of whom has contributed to the fabric of the Lodge long after their individual achievements have been forgotten; and we do so in order that we may pass it on, intact, to those whom we may never meet. This is our duty, this is our reward, and this is our bond.
Once our time has naturally come to an end and the arc of our individual lives have closed on this sub luminary abode, it will not be the quality of our ritual that is remembered; it will not be the badge of our rank that is admired; it will be the humility with which we have conducted ourselves in all of our interactions – with princes and paupers alike. It is this quality that will then entitle us to the highest compliment that can be bestowed on any of us once our days are no more – for a friend or Brother to say “you have lived respected and you have died regretted”.
The journey of the Lodge over its 75 year history has been one in which we have been through some dark days (with low membership and even lower morale) as well as some glorious times; there have been occasions in the past when we have had to consider the real prospect of closure, and we have come together, renewed our commitment and driven forward the Lodge. There have also been times, when we have had to unite in order to prevent disharmony in the Lodge. We now stand at a point where we are healthy, we are united, we have the prospect (but never the certainty) of a fulfilling future and we are the architects laying its foundations. In doing so, we must learn the lessons of the past – we must never take for granted the work and efforts of our fellow members; we must never assume that past glory or present health entitle us to the benefit of a solid future. We must always appreciate that a Lodge is only as strong as its weakest link. And we should always seek to adapt and evolve, as a Lodge, to the needs of new and younger members by making this unit a welcoming environment; giving less experienced Masons a voice; nurturing talent; and supporting one another as we undertake our own Masonic journeys under the umbrella of this Lodge.
Masonry provides us with a collective framework to our individual journeys in life. It reminds us what is really important: our character, our integrity, our humility, and our honour.
It teaches us to build our character through self-reflection, hard work and perseverance. And it reminds us, no matter what our station in life, to treat others with the respect, dignity and compassion that we would wish for ourselves.
No doubt, the next 75 years of this Lodge will unfold in ways we might not imagine, but we can only hope that it will do so with Peace, Love and Harmony.
The Lodge will evolve and the Lodge will adapt; and if we are to carry a message to those in in the Lodge when our time shall have passed, I trust it will be this: We have been happy here; we have forged bonds of friendship; we have participated in the ritual with dedication; and we have engaged in the life of the Lodge with commitment. We have done this for our common enjoyment, and we have also done so in the hope that we leave the Lodge in a better place for you to take on your custodianship of this precious asset.
Let our hope for the future be your reminder of the past.