South Africa has had few international heroes over the past fifty years. Nelson Mandela, Donald Woods, Steve Biko, Helen Suzman, Francois Piennar, and David Rattray, to name but a few.

Desperate news breaks today of the murder of Rattray, 48, shot by a Zulu gang last Friday in his home overlooking the battlefield at Isandlwana.

David Rattray was South Africa's pre-emininent historian. He had championed the proud history of the Zulu nation. Noone who heard him speak could fail to be moved by his vivid description of the scene at Isandwana in January 1879.

I had the priviledge to hear David Rattray speak in 1998 at an event in support of the Army Benevolent Fund in Birmingham. The pictures that his words evoked of young British soldiers, thousands of miles from the culture to which they belonged, were and remain extraordinary.  Much of the British column at Isandlwana that day was annihililated in what was one of the greatest military disasters of colonial history. Yet it is Rorke's Drift, just a few miles away and fought on the same night, that tends to be remembered. Rattray's fluent Zulu tongue, poetically laced with clicks, created a truly emotional vision of a battle at which more Victoria Crosses were awarded for valour than on any other battle in history.

David Rattray described the Battle of Isandlwana as "a marvelous day of reconciliation. This piece of history can be used to build upon rather than create divisions. Despite the damage done to the Zulu people by the war, one would scratch one's head to find a more high-profile campaign. The enormous respect that exists between the British and the Zulu people had its origins on these famous battlefields."

Rattray travelled the world with this inspirational story of reconciliation. He brought countless thousands to Natal to visit the battle sites, and raised income that has been critical to the local economy. And he drew respect for South Africans of all cultures, but particularly for the Zulus.

And now he is dead. Gunned down by the very people he championed for his whole life. These are desperately sad times for Africa, and for reconciliation in this world.