A Legacy Continues on the Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal: David Rattray’s Fugitives’ Drift Lodge.

 
(This article has been printed in the Zambian Traveller)
 
by George Irwin.
 

In 1990, Fugitives’ Drift Lodge opened for business on the banks of the Buffalo River in South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal. David and Nicky Rattray, on a wing and a prayer, established a business which was to achieve royal acclaim and international success: both Prince Charles and Prince Michael of Kent feature on the Rattray’s guest list. Rattray quickly became world-renowned for his remarkable story-telling ability, bringing history to life on the battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana. Hailed as the finest public speaker of his age in the world, he brought the Zulu people and their remarkable history into the hearts and homes of the British people. Perhaps more importantly though, he began to employ, support and empower the local Zulu community, raising R12million to support their education. On 26th January 2007, David Rattray was shot and killed in his home by six would-be thieves.

Those who knew him, even for five minutes, know that South Africa suffered a great loss with this now infamous shooting. But those who knew him remember, more than anything, his undying passion for his country, the Zulu people and their history. He firmly believed that the Zulu people have huge potential and that he had a responsibility to help them realise that potential. That belief prompted the creation of the Rorke’s Drift Education Fund and the Isandlwana Education Appeal. While Rattray captivated international guests with his passionate accounts of the Anglo-Zulu War, so he garnered support for the communities living around those famous battlefields. With this support, he built schools, added classrooms, bought computers and electrified school buildings.

Rattray’s murder prompted outcry, both in South Africa and abroad: his murder was reported in the national press of 56 countries. Senior South African politicians were quick to offer their condolences to his family and were quicker to try and reduce the political impact; South Africa’s high crime figures were back on the front pages of the world’s press. More than 2000 flocked to the internationally-televised funeral at Michaelhouse School in the Natal Midlands. While the then Premier of KwaZulu Natal, S’bu Ndebele, fumbled through an ill-prepared, downplaying speech, Rattray’s eldest son, Andrew promoted reconciliation: “We should all personally commit to doing something constructive to help reach his great vision for our great country”.

Undoubtedly, this has been an incomprehensibly difficult time for all those who live and work at Fugitives’ Drift, but under Nicky Rattray’s leadership, her team continues to uphold and improve Rattray’s great vision.

Rob Caskie, now Senior Lecturer at Fugitives’ Drift, has worked alongside Rattray for nine years. In 2004, Caskie gave his first series of lectures in the UK and in 2010, he will be conducting three series of lectures. Undoubtedly his story-telling style, while different to Rattray’s, has proved to be just as popular. It is under his stewardship that the history of the Anglo-Zulu War – Rattray’s great passion – is kept alive.

The flagship tours at Fugitives’ Drift are tours to the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. These tours continue to attract and enthral thousands of guests, particularly from the UK. The morning tour is to the vast, expansive battlefield of Isandlwana, site of the great Zulu victory over the British Empire. On the 22nd January 1879, 25,000 Zulu warriors descended on a largely undefended and unprepared British camp and in less than two hours, more than two thousand on the British side lay dead. Less than six hours later, 139 British soldiers began to fight off four thousand Zulu warriors at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. In the midst of all the destruction: an eclipse of the sun.

These two great battles have such a huge following in the UK and the reason for this is obvious: the combination of courage, fate and futility on both sides is potent. The Battle of Isandlwana is characterised by a catalogue, even comedy, of errors on the part of the British command. Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing; putting oneself in the shoes of those in command on the day is a remarkable experience. Compare this to the Battle of Rorke’s Drift and one is confronted by a remarkable contrast. The heroism is the same, the sacrifice is the same, but the roles are reversed. Within six hours of one of their greatest victories, the Zulus attack Rorke’s Drift with the same dismissive attitude which characterised the British at Isandlwana. The result is one of the most inspiring battles in British history which saw the award of eleven Victoria Crosses; more than any other battle in history.

The story of these battles is remarkable. They are stories which form an integral part of the rich history of South Africa. In a country where the future is the subject of so much conjecture, the past is should form the foundation of every debate. While many lodges in South Africa are feeling the effects of the global recession, Fugitives’ Drift continues to bring this history to life on a daily basis. This continued success has at its foundation the unparalleled, infectious passion and knowledge of Rattray and his protégés. This passion should be experienced by everyone who has even a passing interest in the history of this great country.

For more information visit www.fugitivesdrift.com or telephone 0027 (0)34 271 8051.