Consecrated 9th September 1952
Meeting at: Johannesburg - Southern Masonic Centre, 27 Glensands Ave., Rewlatch
Meeting Dates: 4th Tuesday (ex Dec) Inst Sep
Contact 083 408 9561
Lodge History
Southern Cross is one of what is seen today as a very strong group of four lodges meeting at the Southern Masonic Centre in Rewlatch. It was formed at the suggestion of RW Bro Vivian, when attending his first lodge installation District Grand Master. The lodge met at various venues until it became one of the four English participants in the timely and successful scheme for the development of the Rewlatch Centre - a joint scheme, on a 50:50 basis, with five Scottish lodges.
The lodge can be proud of its many worthy brethren but space permits reference only to the three who have attained Grand honours. The Charter Master, Ronnie Sandeman, dedicated himself to the promotion of English Freemasonry in the Southern Suburbs, and proved himself a true leader. Louis ('Bugs') Goldberg brought a completely outstanding quality of personal service into his masonry. Within a year of his initiation (in 1954) he was appointed Almoner of the lodge and this was to be the beginning of some 35 years of devotion to sick and needy masons (regardless of lodge or constitution) and their dependents. Following his appointment to the District Board of Benevolence in 1977, 'Bugs' became in effect the District sick visitor and his good work was so widely recognised that the Transvaal Masonic Benevolent Fund appointed him as its Welfare Officer. His death, in 1989, left an enormous gap. However with the appointment in that years of George Droste as President of the Board of Benevolence, the lodge has maintained, through him, a very active involvement in District charitable work, while Bro Droste has spared nothing of himself in carrying out his duties.
Reference: 'A Century of Brotherhood' by A A Cooper & D E G Vieler