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The Herald, September 28, 1979
LONDON. – Four members of the National Democratic Union of Zimbabwe Rhodesia who came to London 17 days ago as “unofficial observers” to the constitutional conference, are stranded here with a £600 hotel bill hanging over their heads.
The hotel in which they were staying, near Heathrow Airport, has confiscated their personal effects until the bill is paid, according to Zimbabwe Rhodesia Government officials whom the stranded men have approached for aid.
The group consists of the party chairman, Mr Kingsley Muskwe; the deputy chairman, Mr Rosten Gore; the secretary general, Mr James Shereni and Mr Xavier Chihota, the public relations secretary.
The president of the National Democratic Union, Mr Henry Chihota, who was also here for the conference, left this week after telling Government officials he was on his own.
The Zimbabwe Rhodesia Government had so far refused to pay the men’s expenses, and was arranging to fly them back to Salisbury yesterday or today. All have air tickets to return home.
According to Government officials, the team said it had come to London with only £200 expecting to link up with the leader of the party.
“We did not come here on holiday. We are not tourists – we came to lobby,” said Mr Muskwe.
The Zimbabwe Rhodesian officials say they will pay only the hotel bill and retrieve the men’s goods after National Democratic Party executive members have repaid the money on the men’s return home.
Iana-Reuter reports that apart from the expense, many of the Zimbabwe Rhodesia team are frustrated by what they say is the slow pace of the conference. Some are also suffering from home sickness.
They can be seen disconsolately drinking half pints of bitter beer in “olde worlde pubs” around their hotel rather than paying out for the splendours of a hotel lunch.
One white official expressed dismay that he was not among the 16 being sent home, saying he had not expected to stay in London for more than two or three weeks. “I just want to go home,” he said.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
It is always good to attend a function or activity as an official guest because you will be adequately covered in terms of things like accommodation, food and transport.
When travelling away from home, especially to foreign lands it is advisable to have adequate money to cover one’s expenses.
A lengthy stay in an unfamiliar environment can cause one to develop emotional distress, which induces feelings such as homesickness. Some members of the negotiating parties at the conference became homesick because they had not anticipated the talks to stretch for a long time. And, little did they know that the agreement will only be signed on December 21, 1979.
When stressed or homesick, it’s common for people to take to drinking. Some of the people in the story, chose to drink half pints of bitter beer in pubs because they were homesick and frustrated at the slow pace of the talks.
Online Reporter