District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Province of the Cape of Good Hope
Welcome to Eastern Cape Scottish Freemasonry District
Lodge Good Friendship
Place of the Lodge – C/O Piet Uys and Church Street, Humansdorp, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Area that Lodge Serves – the Lodge Serves an area stretching from the East of the Storms River, to the West of the Gamtoos River in the Eastern Cape Province, but we have member from as far as Port Elizabeth.
Age of the Lodge – the Lodge was consecrated in 1992, which makes it 30 years old.
Culture of the Lodge – Lodge Good Friendship is a Country Lodge, but its Members see it as a “Family Lodge”, for the simple reason that we are a close knit community, and the members are like a very close family. We are known for the excellent harmonies we after our Lodge Meetings conclude. Lodge Good Friendship has a unique bond with Lodge St Francis No 3086 E.C. in that the 2 Lodges use the same premises and support each other not only in Meetings but also in social environments, like initiatives and events.
Special Occasions – Traditionally. The Lodge hosts a Ladies’ night on every month that has 5 Mondays in it. Every Year on the Last Friday of November, we have a special year-end evening, where gifts are exchanged, and especially the ladies and families are honoured for their support of the Brethren during the year. We also have Charitable initiatives, like a Valentines Tea, where the funds generated goes to a local Charity. We also host a golf day, and funds generated will go towards a Charitable event, based on Merit. Lodge Good Friendship also plays an active roll in conjunction with Lodge St. Andrew No. 608 S.C. in charitable initiatives for the Buffelsfontein Retirement Village, situated in Port Elizabeth.
Current Reigning Master of the Lodge – Bro. Craig Leonard John Jessop
Masters who became DGM’s – our current RWM is the RWDGM Designate for this district. Founding Members BB D.Levy, N. Randell and A. Jacobs all became DGM’s for this District. Past DGM’s BB William Basson, Donald Dye and Wayne Harvey are all Honorary members of the Lodge. The Immediate Past Grand Master Mason, Bro Charles Iain Robert Wolridge Gordon of Esselmont is also an Honorary Member of the Lodge.
Notable Achievements of Brethren – Current Members of Lodge Good Friendship have achieved several distinctions in Freemasonry, including:
- Merit Award : Bro Stief Rootman
- DG Rank : Past Depute DGM – Bro Paul Hol and Bro Trevor Hoff, Depute DGM – Bro Craig Jessop, DG Secretary – Bro Paul Hol,
- DG DC – Bro Errol Corney, DG Sen Warden – Bro Jacques Pienaar.
- Hon. Grand Rank : Bro. Paul Hol – Hon Grand Marshal, Bro Trevor Hoff – Hon Grand DC, Bro Craig Jessop – Hon Grand Marshal.
- Hon. DG Rank : Bro Errol Corney – Hon DG Marshal, Bro Jacques Pienaar – Hon DG Standard Bearer
Accolades/awards in everyday life:
Founding Member, Bro Eric Ungerer is a past Mayor of Jeffeys Bay
Founding Member, Bro Stief Rootman – Springbok colours in Angling
Current RWM, Bro Craig Jessop is a well-known Lawyer in the district
A brief history of our Lodge and how it was consecrated….
Bro. Stief Rootman, conducted a survey of masons in the Kouga area during 1991 and found that there were more than 25 retired Freemasons in the area, who had no masonic home close-by. After a meeting was called, it was decided to apply for a Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, as most of the Brethren were from Scottish Lodges, across the world.
Clearances were obtained for all the prospective members and negotiations started, for the use of the vacant change rooms on the Aston Bay beach, in Jeffreys Bay . The local municipality was conducive to the proposal and agreed to lease the premises to us for the sum of R600 per annum (we had 3 city councilors as prospective members and it is of interest to note that they represented 3 different political parties. Eventually, they all became members of our Lodge).
All requirements were eventually met and a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland and a Consecration date was set for 4 July 1992. Our ladies, not wanting to be left out of all the activity and fun, offered to take care of the catering and at long last the bog day arrived!!
Unfortunately, on the day of Consecration, we had very heavy rains and were cut off from our prospective Lodge rooms. Emergency measures had to be taken. The John Lambert-hall in the old caravan park in Jeffreys Bay was obtained as an alternate venue. As this hall was too small to accommodate the 150 people expected, telephone poles and railway tarpaulins were used to cover the courtyard to provide extra seating. The consecration proceeded without a hitch.
The banquet was hosted in the town hall and our ladies outdid themselves by presenting a beautiful 4-course meal for more than 300 guests. It was the largest masonic gathering in the Eastern Cape, at that time!! Tradition was broken for this occasion and for the first time a mixed banquet was hosted. This format has since become the standard for all Scottish Lodges in the Eastern Cape.
The Lodge with its 27 members were off to a flying start. They set a high standard of proficiency for their ceremonies. A particular milestone, was when 4 young men were initiated on the same evening in May 1996. The late brother Arthur Smith, a spritely 80-year-old Master, presided and performed the compound ceremony faultlessly. This was a first for the Eastern Cape and set a standard of proficiency which has been upheld ever since.
The Lodge supported the District honorably – their contributions were regularly acknowledged by the District Grand Master and, at members of our Lodge have continuously served as Office Bearers of the District Grand Lodge.
Eventually, Lodge Good Friendship relocated to the premises where it currently resides, in the St. Francis Masonic Centre, at the corner of Piet Uys and Church Street in Humansdorp.
As a Lodge, Lodge Good Friendship has proven itself time and again as a trend setter and is on the forefront of Masonic progress in this district.
Annual Installations as still conducted with just as much zeal as on that first Installation and we celebrate all brethren past, present and future.
Interested in joining the oldest fraternity in the world?
Feemasonry has a long and rich history in the Eastern Cape.
There are lodges in the cities and several small towns. Each lodge has its own story and unique character, reflecting the principles and traditions of Freemasonry. A warm welcome awaits you in every one of them.
