Nathan Shave

Writer, Researcher, Art and Music Enthusiast

About Me

I'm a British South African graduate in International History and Politics from the University of Leeds, with a passion for geopolitical analysis, post-colonial history, and independent research.

I have a strong passion for the arts; be it through analysing music or creating my own visual arts. It has always remained a large part of my life.

Communications

Examples of contextual written work, adapted to different styles or formats

26th June 2026

Fictional Newsletter in the Voice of Steve Biko

A fictional newsletter written in the voice of Steve Biko, based on the true events of SASO's founding in 1969. Drawing on Biko's own presidential address and historical record of the subject.

This piece demonstrates the ability to inhabit a different voice and communicate in a different format with accuracy, ideological depth, and historical authenticity.

Portfolio Work • 25th June 2026

One Brief in Five Formats

A single event written in 5 formats. Each in 20 minutes.

Press release, blog post, newsletter intro, LinkedIn post, and social caption.

This aims to demonstrate tone-switching and an understanding of audience, as well as format discipline

Academic Essays

All official academic work was written for the University of Leeds under my undergraduate of (BA) International History and Politics.

University of Leeds • 19th May 2026

Who did transnational anticommunist movements target as their enemies?

This short essay analysises Suharto in Indonesia and SWAPO in Namibia, analysing how their respective oppressors labeled them as communist to discredit their revolutionary movements

University of Leeds • 28th April 2026

Calculated Outrage: Rethinking Sharpeville’s Significance in British Foreign Policy

Dissertation written for the University of Leeds.

The dissertation analyses British Foreign Policy towards South Africa in 1960-1963 following the Sharpeville Massacre.

University of Leeds • 13th January 2026

How professional were Britain’s intelligence services between 1909 and 1949?

Written for the 'Secret Service' module in December. The essay analyses the professionalism of the early British Secret Service.

University of Leeds • 29th April 2025

Why is there a 'Mobutu Gap' in Historiography?

This 'Long Essay' analyses why historiography often fails to examine Mobutu Sese Seko's actual assumption of power, instead simplyifying his rise to Lumumba's assassination and military coups.

Formal Music Reviews

Reviews including critical analysis of music production, lyrics, and themes. All opinions are entirely my own.

16th June 2026

Review of 'Cry Baby' by Vince Staples

An incredible piece of political storytelling that will be remembered as one of the most politically assertive albums of the 2020s.

12th June 2026

Review of 'Experimental Rap' by JPEGMAFIA

An album titled ‘Experimental Rap’, where the rap is as easy to predict as it gets.

University of Leeds • 20th May 2025

Analysis of 'History Will Absolve Me' by billy woods

Originally written as coursework for 'Public History and Popular Culture' at the University of Leeds, this is a slightly unconventional "review" that analyses billy woods' masterclass of a 2012 album.

The essay notably analyses the ways the album relates to historical figures and how it relates to historiography

YouTube 'Video Essays'

Videos on internet culture which analyse drama, and different kinds of media.

"He makes videos covering controversial YouTube characters or topics in a way that provides more level-headed insight to otherwise toxic YouTube drama." - Wikitubia, Fandom Wiki

View the Channel

Note: this channel has been discontinued indefinitely and as such there has not been any content in the past two years. However, the content still holds up to my capabilities and interests.