The railway to Delagoa Bay was a very important link
with Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) in the early
years of the 20th century, with the repair and
maintenance depot at Waterval Boven contributing to
the development of that town as a key centre on the
route. And although the lodge first met, for
convenience, at Machadodorp, in the travellers'
sample room of the Eastern Hotel, it soon moved to
Waterval Boven, where it built its own premises,
still in use today.
The origin of the name is uncertain although the
Secretary has suggested a possible link via the
founders, several of whom, including the Charter
Master, came from Russia, where the Grand Lodge
Astrea was formed, with headquarters in St
Petersburg in 1815 but lasting only until 1822, when
Freemasonry was proscribed in Russia. The Lodge
crest includes an eagle and an eight pointed star,
and the words 'per ardua ad astra', perhaps
anticipatory of something less earthbound than a
railway!
Waterval Boven has become less important as a
railway centre and this has created problems for the
Lodge, but there have always been the stalwarts to
keep it going. One of these, W Bro Hugo Minnaar (WM
1956/8) who later moved to Pretoria, attained Grand
rank in 1972. Another, W Bro J C ViIjoen (WM 1967/8)
has been Secretary of Astrea Lodge for many years,
and has seen it through problem times.
The Lodge's pairing with Woodlands Lodge has been
especially helpful to it, and although the Astrea
membership is small, the spirit is good.
Exsequi Lodge meets at Park
Lane in Johannesburg, South Africa on the fourth Monday of
February (Election Meeting), April (Installation Meeting),
June, August, October and November. Exsequi is a Freemasons
Dining Lodge and masonic guests are most welcome.
Freemasonry a web site for and about Freemasons - South African
Lodges
