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In 1989 David and Nicky Rattray moved to the family owned farm at Rorke's Drift where Melvill and Coghill won the first posthumous Victoria Cross's in history. It was here that David had spent his childhood holidays growing up with his great friend "Satchmo" Mpanza, learning to speak Zulu and becoming enriched with the lore of this fabulous region.

David had a unique ability to transport his audience to the battlefield and take them on a thrilling journey with the men who fought the battles. His exposure to Zulu oral tradition and his studies of his excellent library left him uniquely equipped for his vocation as a raconteur, and he entertained many audiences in South Africa and abroad. Twenty times he addressed capacity audiences at the Royal Geographical Society in London and was much in demand as a public speaker. He was acknowledged internationally as an authority on the Anglo Zulu War, and did much to raise the profile of these battlefields in South Africa and abroad.

David's presentations had a broad appeal and were by no means limited to those with an interest in history. His interpretation of the events in Zululand in 1879  equipped those of us who knew him, with an understanding of the dramatic and important changes taking place today, particularly those in KwaZulu Natal.

His passing is a travesty of justice, as there can undoubtedly be few persons in South Africa, who have done more to unite the peoples of this rainbow nation, and to assist in bringing harmony to its diverse peoples than this giant of a man, the David Rattray who touched the lives of so many.

Hamba Kahle, iNkunzi Malanga we Mbongi.


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Tributes & eulogies updates

My apologies, the links in the previous post were broken. I enclose the fixed links below.

Posted by Grant Finnemore at 2007/02/21 14:05

Eulogies & tributes to David Rattray

Hi,

After having setup this site and seeing that many of the messages were from people who most likely were not able to attend the funeral service, I asked some of the speakers at this service if they would send me their tributes and eulogies to this wonderful son of africa.

I can now make them available on the showing I care site for David:-


Posted by Grant Finnemore at 2007/02/21 13:57

The funeral service

My wife and I attended the funeral service for David today. Michaelhouse school had done a magnificent job in setting up for this event, and in addition to the chapel, a very large marquee with seating for an additional 1000 people had been provided. Both were full to capacity.

The service started promptly at 11:30am, and ran smoothly, finishing at 1:30pm. It was very emotional for everyone, yet all the speakers managed admirably. There were several direct and oblique references to the unacceptable levels of crime in SA, yet this did not overwhelm the overall feeling of great loss of this wonderful son of South Africa.

I have transcribed most of the programme of events for those who weren't able to be there. 

Posted by Grant Finnemore at 2007/02/01 21:14

Two arrested in connection with Rattray murder

This article has just appeared in the Mail & Guardian. It would appear that no details have been released as to identities or motives, but it does speculate that further arrests are coming.

In addition, 702 news and The Star have stories on this.

[Update] The link to The Star given above is for paid subscribers - sorry. Here is a link to the iafrica.com news story.

Posted by Grant Finnemore at 2007/01/31 15:25

Funeral details

It's worth repeating, although it has been all over the news. The funeral service will be held at Michaelhouse school on Thurday, 1st Febuary at 11:30am.

Details of how to get to Michaelhouse can be found on their website. 

Posted by Grant Finnemore at 2007/01/30 11:32

Pictures of David

Should you have any pictures of David Rattray that you would like to share on this site, please email them to grantf@guruhut.co.za
Posted by Grant Finnemore at 2007/01/27 08:43
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