Amin’s son speaks to thousands in Karoo

HIS father was a violent dictator whose brutal regime killed thousands of people, but Jaffar Amin has made it his duty to spread the word about peace and reconciliation – and he believes South Africa has not yet reached its full potential.

“South Africa needs to get back the spirit it had in 1994,” Jaffar Amin, 49, the son of former Ugandan president Idi Amin Dada, said.

“It was a time when this country’s spirit was at its highest, and it was an incredible example to the entire world. It can still show the world possibilities and progress.

“We can still have hope for the future. Hope is always the last thing that dies.”

Amin spent the weekend attending the annual Mighty Men Conference, near Middelburg, along with thousands of men who have dedicated themselves to becoming better husbands and fathers.

He called on South Africans to stop being apathetic and leave their frustration at what is happening in the country behind, and do their utmost to support South Africa.

“We all love Africa and we should cherish our land. We can get back that spirit of Madiba.

“Do not leave your country, but remain to continue this miracle.”

Amin, who leaves South Africa via Port Elizabeth today, said it was the first time he had attended the conference, and his first visit to South Africa.

“It [the conference] was massive, absolutely massive, with a crowd of around 30 000 people.

“It is wonderful to be in South Africa because it is the symbol of reconciliation on our continent.”

The father of six said since 2007 he had been meeting victims and widows from his father’s regime in Uganda, to ask them to forgive him.

“I left my pride and took my nose out of the clouds enough to say that I am sorry.

“I believe it takes nothing to punch someone but it takes courage to say sorry. When I apologise to someone, yes, there is tension. “That moment can become ugly because in that moment I am transformed into my father who has been dead for 13 years.

“I tell them I am sorry on his behalf and on behalf of absolute power.

“Sometimes she [the victim] shakes with anger and hatred but she also accepts the apology.

“I break down every time and always cry. It is a moment of release.

“Healing is nothing to be ashamed of. I was the most militant member of my family, so it took the most militant one to seek forgiveness.”