WHILE the world of the ultra-rich may be brimming with private jets, rarely do billionaires find time to fly just to check on their massive global investments dotted around several parts of the planet.

Most wealthy business magnates usually assign their executive teams to physically go on-site, while they prefer monitoring their massive investments from the comfort of air-conditioned board rooms or luxurious top-end hotel business suites. 

For some, like Chinese billionaire, Mr Pei Zhenhua (64), whose net worth is US$10,3 billion, the script reads differently.

On a hot and humid Thursday afternoon, our Bulawayo Bureau caught up with Mr Pei during his visit deep in Fort Rixon to assess progress at the site of the lithium project.

Clad in a white shirt, a pair of black trousers, and sports shoes, Mr Pei humbly stood in a queue as he patiently waited for his turn to be served lunch.

One of the people serving lunch was overheard saying, “From our menu, I wonder whether the chairman will be able to eat what is on offer.”

Rice, samp, fried chicken and beef and a variety of vegetables were being served. When his turn arrived, Mr Pei took his…