Johannesburg Lodge

The Theosophical Societies around the world attract those who desire to learn more about deeper spiritual and universal truths. Theosophy looks holistically at both the constitution of humanity, as well as of the cosmos. 

The Johannesburg Lodge is the oldest lodge in Southern Africa. We offer a variety of lectures and activities centered around theosophy and related subjects. 

The Johannesburg Lodge received its charter on April 14, 1899. the first lodge president (1902) was Louis L. Playford. A magazine titled: ‘The South African Theosophist’ was also published in March 1903. Membership expanded from 16 members to 123 in 1903. 

Mahatma Gandhi gave a lecture at the lodge-22 August 1905- entitled ‘the real life’. Although not a member he contributed much to theosophy in Johannesburg.

The lodges amalgamated into the South African Theosophical Society in 1909 (Charter dated April 27, 1909). It changed to the “Theosophical Society in South Africa” at the Convention of May 1911 and to the “Theosophical Society in Southern Africa” in 1932.

The first Convention of the National Society was held in The Pretoria Masonic Hall on September 30, 1909. The first General Secretary was Henry Dykman, followed by E. C. Nelson from 1910 to 1916 who was an important driving force and founding member of the Society. The 1909 Charter named 7 lodges — Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria, Germiston, Pietermaritzburg, and Harmony (Johannesburg). In 1914 lodges were formed in Bulawayo and Salisbury in Rhodesia and in the Cape. In 1945 de Aar, Port Elizabeth, and Kimberley. The first lodge premises built in South Africa was in Pretoria in 1928. 

More recently, the decrease in attendance of esoteric communities is a world- wide problem. The Theosophical Society is no exception. Many members have been loyal in their participation and attendance of the Johannesburg Lodge, but sadly due to old age many members can no longer be actively involved. If the Theosophical Society is to survive in South Africa, new (younger) members will need to be recruited.

Those who do attend enjoy a wealth of various activities. These include Lectures on specific topics, workshops on Theosophy, and a movie night which focuses on the esoteric and symbolic themes in the movie. There is also a lending library open to members of the Lodge.

Please review the Programs tab for the current Lodge offering.