Mwana Lodge No 8706 – some information compiled by Wor Bro W.J.D.Godsall

Mwana Lodge No 8706 EC was Consecrated on Saturday May 29^th 1976 in Ndola.  The Consecrating Officer was Worshipful Brother H.McDonald, the Deputy District Grand Master and the sponsor was the Itawa Lodge No 7702.  Officers who assisted in the Consecration include:

There were eleven founders and fifty three visitors present at the ceremony, the Consecration being followed by Installation of Master Elect Wor Bro H.K.Smallwood, a brother of experience and commitment.  The Charity Collection at the Installation raised K43.00 and the cost for the subsequent Festive Board was K4.00 for each attendee.

At the Installation there were ten applications for joining members and two candidates approved for initiation (which took place at the first Regular meeting).  In the early years Mwana Lodge was a strong vibrant lodge with a diverse membership that added considerably to the overall strength of Freemasonry in Zambia and Ndola in particular.  In 1979 there were some 39 members including one country member and one honorary member.

The Lodge contributed significantly to masonic profile in Ndola, bringing the overall total to four active lodges in the city, including those of the Scottish and Irish Constitutions.  Unfortunately economic times through the late 1990s and early 2000s impacted adversely on Freemasonry in general.  Mwana Lodge experience challenges in maintaining a quorum for its Regular meetings and consequently went into recess and is currently dormant.  The Warrant has been retained by District Grand Lodge with the intention of adapting it to the untapped potential that exists in higher institutions of learning.  This scheme is currently being pursued with some priority by the District Grand Lodge.