Piet Retief, named after the Voortrekker leader, was established in 1885 in an area noted for forestry. The Assegai river runs through the town, hence the name 'Mkonto (or assegai) selected by the lodge founders. As was the occasional practice in the early years of the District, no doubt because of travelling difficulties, the Consecrating Officer (W Bro C A Yate) was a District officer from the nearest lodge, Concordia at Ermelo.

The WM in 1922/3 was Bro Harry Pannall, who, having already been through the chair of Heidelberg Lodge, was to go on to develop an active masonic career of over 60 years, to be celebrated at a special meeting of Royal George Lodge in Krugersdorp in 1971. While in the chair of 'Mkonto he proposed that a suitable site for lodge premises be purchased in Piet Retief and this was achieved at a total land and building costs of some £1150. Although the lodge had £750 in hand, the balance of borrowing was only cleared in 1969 !

The lodge premises have the deserved reputation of being haunted, for while there is an answer to the 'phantom' itself, one half of the lodge room door having warped, placing tension on the barrel bolts holding the door closed, the timing of the resultant knocks to take place only during workings has never been explained.

The lodge has experienced increasing difficulty as a result of so few active members being resident in or near Piet Retief. The paired lodge Civil Service, has been supportive, but a recent year saw 'Mkonto barely able to open at several meetings and unsettled times were obviously a deterrent to travelling. A recent move has been for the lodge to meet on Saturday mornings, while the 'lodge ladies' do their shopping and meet socially in the town.


Meeting place: Kruger/Joubert Strs., Piet Retief