Brandon Hamber

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Brandon Hamber is a South African living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is the Director of INCORE (International Conflict Research Institute), an associate centre of the United Nations University, based at the University of Ulster. |
Swimming upstream: The near miss of a very Scottish Salmond
30th September 2014 I’ve been lucky enough to live through some amazing political times, the first South African democratic election in 1994 and the signing of the... →
Putting the Presidential pickle in perspective
8th June 2012 I was 17 when I personally first encountered censorship. I produced a school play in the late 1980s which reached the finals of a play festival in... →
The serious business of tree hugging
9th March 2012 Back in 2001, infamous tough politician from Sinn Fein Gerry Adams admitted that he liked hugging trees. At the time, he noted: "Hugging trees has... →
Place or national identity and affinity for strangers
6th May 2011 I realised recently how fickle I am. This happened while watching the 2011 US Masters golf tournament on TV. →
Proper political analysis of Libyan conflict is needed
25th March 2011 I do not wish to come across as stupid, but I have no idea what is going on in Libya. Granted, my historical knowledge about the country is patchy,... →
Lessons for combating stress
28th January 2011 University is meant to be educational and I did learn a few academic things while I studied at university. But there were also other life lessons I... →
It’s a rip-off – get me out of here
10th December 2010 It can be alarming when you realise you are not a nice person. This epiphany about myself came to me while watching (against my will, I should add)... →
Is cyber terrorism the new swine flu?
29th October 2010 I would strongly recommend, especially if you are of a nervous disposition, that you avoid reading the Strategic Defence and Security Review... →
I would rather be hung over than be a glutton
17th September 2010 It is difficult to write on subjects like alcohol without attracting criticism. Mentioning the word in a column such as this can result in letters... →
Is South Africa just one big vuvuzela?
20th August 2010 There were moments of brilliance on the pitch during the 2010 World Cup, but it was what happened off the pitch that grabbed the most attention. →