Bwana Amdi

A reputable man. In Africa Amdi has the status of a chief. He is the experienced, powerful and energetic leader of a steadily growing tribe of subjects. And the continent's rulers love the 67 year old Dane.

By Louise Windfeld-Høeberg

Some weeks ago there was a big graduation ceremony for the students of the Frontline Institute in Zimbabwe.

Yes, exactly Zimbabwe - the country that is, in the eyes of the world, gradually descending to the level of North Korea. One of the world's most undemocratic countries, with one of the world's most oppressed populations and the world's most depressing financial situation.

Nevertheless it was party time when the 76 development workers from several countries in Southern Africa were awarded their diplomas.

Present were the ambassador of Botswana, together with his colleagues from Zambia and Mozambique. Of course they were there. Anything else would be unthinkable. Why? Because the Frontline Institute is run by Tvind - alias UFF, alias Humana, alias DAPP, alias Planet Aid. And in Africa that is an organization with a power you cannot ignore. You simply can't afford to.

Tvind, in all its disguises, is both well-known and welcome in Africa. Here they run lots of teachers' schools, agricultural schools and basic schools - institutions that would be difficult to find in this poor part of the world if Tvind didn't run them: in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia. Here education is in short supply, and something Tvind apparently offers on a grand scale to an insatiable market. And with the schools comes the personal appreciation.

In Africa, Mogens Amdi Petersen does not have to assume the role of a haunted and misunderstood ex-teacher with a scarf several sizes too big or a fluffy fur cap on his head, on his way into the courtroom. Here he is the experienced, powerful and energetic leader ofa steady growing tribe of subjects. In Africa Amdi has the status of a chief. And the rulers of Africa's poorest countries love the 67 year old Dane.

Most striking of all is Amdi's relation to Zimbabwe's leader, Robert Mugabe. Those two practically grew up together. Tvind's first collection of used clothes in 1978 was intended exactly to support the liberation struggle against the apartheid regime in what was then Rhodesia. Tvind was one of the first agencies prepared to help the new black regime in 1980. Even before the first free elections in Zimbabwe were held, Tvind had established a school for returning refugee children.

26 years later, Mogens Amdi Petersen remains very close to Mugabe. The Zimbabwe president happily turns up to special Tvind occasions to cast his dictator's glory over the gathering - for instance at the opening of the new world headquarters at Murgwi Estate in Shamwa north of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. The world headquarters, called The Federation, is designed by architect Jan Utzon. According to rumour, Mogens Amdi Petersen's only demand to the builders was that "it should be visible from the moon".

Whether that is true or not, the estate is certainly highly visible to earthlings, set amongst rolling hills with its high church-like tower and white pillars: 4,400 square meters of accommodation with a conference hall for 200 people, roofed patios, a relaxing fountain and ochre quarry tiles on the floor. The chalk-white walls are decorated with royal-blue mosaics, of exactly the same colour as Zimbabwe's heavenly-blue sky on an October morning, before the heat and the dry air gets unbearable. Murgwi Estate is a welcome haven.

While others in Zimbabwe have had their property confiscated, nothing has ever happened to Tvind - the only development organization that owns large areas of land, in precisely that part of the country where the soil is best, and where most of the commercial farms were situated before the chaotic land reform was introduced in 2000. Local war veterans several times tried to occupy Murgwi Estate, but every time there rapidly came counter-orders from higher up about them having to leave the property at once.

No doubt Amdi and his girlfriend Kirsten Larsen have a safe haven in Zimbabwe. At Easter this year [2006] they hurried off to Zimbabwe for a relaxing break from the criminal court hearings in Denmark, and to meet up with the 260 other members of the Teachers Group in the Federation. And it's not the first time Amdi has used Zimbabwe as a safe haven.

In September 2003, Amdi also took a break from the Danish court hearings to travel to Zimbabwe. While in Zimbabwe, he apparently got so sick that he had to be admitted suddenly to hospital, and therefore was unable to attend the court in Denmark. While he was treated for an allergic illness in Avenue's Clinic in Harare, he was visited by several Zimbabwe government representatives.

Tvind - with Mogens Amdi Petersen in charge - is and remains a force in Africa. If you are Danish and you are travelling out of Zimbabwe from the international airport in Harare, nobody asks you any more if you work for the Danish embassy. That closed down long time ago as a protest against the regime.

Instead - "Humana?” asks the man from the secret police of those few travelers with a Danish passport - and for once he smiles obligingly. Undoubtedly, it pays to say ‘yes'. And with a nod you get a rapid exit permit and no further questions.

Talking about this airport - it is extremely Amdi-friendly. On one occasion, Amdi, Kirsten and I stood waiting together for our luggage from South Africa. Amdi and Kirsten made it very easily through the army of waiting customs officers, even though they had an enormous amount of luggage that under normal circumstances would have drawn the attention of officials. While I - with only one lonely suitcase - was held back.

Outside, a big group of smiling Humana-groupies were waiting for Amdi, and as I emerged from the customs hall I was just in time to glimpse the cloud of dust as the two big Mitsubishi Pajeros [carrying Amdi and Kirsten] disappeared over the horizon on their way north.

Of course, chief Amdi didn't drive himself. A chief never does. But it's the chief who decides the direction.