David Rattray Memorial Trust
Registered Charity No: 1119353

The Trust was established in 2007 to commemorate David Rattray who was tragically killed on 26th January 2007. He devoted much of his life to the study of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, to the reconciliation of the peoples of South Africa and to the promotion of the Zulu people around the world.

David Rattray became world-renowned for his emotive and enthralling battlefield tours as well as lectures he gave throughout the United Kingdom. His annual three night series of lectures at the Royal Geographic Society was always sold out. The Zulu people - their history, culture and future - always was close to his heart.

The Trust’s focus is to educate and care for children in a small number of schools in a defined area of remote rural Kwa-Zulu Natal by supporting the David Rattray Foundation in South Africa and to promote activities which add to the knowledge and understanding of rural Kwa- Zulu Natal, particularly in relation to its historical context. You can read a more detailed profile about David here. To learn more about the David Rattray Foundation click here

In 2011, the Trust took part in the Guardian International Development Journalism Competition, which sets finalists an assignment in a developing country; the finalists spent a week in the area of work of the charity to research and write in detail on a given assignment. Their essays were published in Guardian newspaper supplements in November 2011. The assignment given to Eleanor Davis, the finalist who visited rural Kwa-Zulu Natal, was to research the impact on rural communities of improving education provision”. To read Eleanor’s published article "On the road to learning" please click here.

In addition Eleanor completed a number of case studies and to read these and her case study entitled "Jobs for the community" please click here

To read Eleanor's Blog of her 6 day visit to rural Kwa- Zulu , please click here.