and if it does probably not for at least another 10-20yrs!!!
To cut a (very) long story short. DH's dad is applying for the "chieftanship" of the area they come from. It's a post that's been empty for some time because of political wranglings that date back to the days when the colonialists first arrived in the country and to do with his step-brothers family line supporting the whites, and FIL's fighting against them.
! Anyhow, there's a very strong possibility that FIL could get the post (conections in the right places). While we were out there FIL put DH on the spot (literally) and said that if he gets the post he needs to name his successor (once someone is appointed it become hereditary). He has two choices......his step-brother (who he's battling against for the 'post') son, or DH..
DH said yes (as he needed an immidiate answer - poor DH didn't even get a chance to ask me - but explained later saying that I would have the option to say no but it was up to me). That would then mean we were 'royal' family (in the 'tribal' sense of the word) and the DS's would be known as 'princes' in the area where he'd be chief. If neither of our boys wanted to hold the post after DH it would be offered to my BIL (DH's younger brother) and if he didn't want it it would leave the family line (again).
There are good points (and bad) to this situation as it stands (presuming FIL gets the post).
Good.
We get to move back out to Zimbabwe when the boys are older - a plan we've always had.
They build a house for you, with 'ammenities' not usually found in most rural homes.
DH would be given a 4x4 truck - his to keep regardless of what happened.
DH would hold the post until he's old and silver and dies - meaning guaranteed income
It's a position which while not "strictly" political could put him in a good position to change things politically - the area where he'd be Chief is a ZANUPF stronghold.......something that can be changed though.
The area we'd be living in is one of the most beauitful parts - Easter Highlands - bit like Scotland but a bit hotter and a little more 'rugged'.
BAD POINTS
We want the boys to finish their education in the UK - so if FIL dies before they finish then I would have to stay here with them while DH was over there - although there is a 2-3yr transition period so the time of FIL's death to DH leaving would be a few years.
The above problem (of me having to stay here while they finish school) means that the chances of having baby no.3 are practically gone - as that would only extend the potential length of time we'd be apart.
We still have a lot of debt - obviously we want to have cleared most, preferablly all before DH goes. We could sell our house when he goes (which would probably clear all the debt by that time) but we'd rather still have it here - and probably rent it out - just so we've still got 'something' here.
We'd be living in the middle of no-where - ok we'd probably have the basics of running water (including toilet and hot water in the house), electricity and telephone (and hopefully DSTV - South African Sky TV) but it would be very isolated.........so I'd have to learn to drive before I moved (ok that's probably a good point - give me an incentive LOL).
The isolation means I'd be forced to learn at least the basics (harder than it sounds - I've been trying for the last 8yrs LOL) of Shona, and to be suitably 'modest and well dressed' one of these things (don't know what they're called ) on my head when visiting people. I'd also be on my own quite a bit as the area DH would be chief of would be quite large.
Obviously we'd be a long way from my family (and the boys - unless they wanted to join us!) - but I can cope with that.
I'm sort of apprehensive about it, and exited at the same time (like I said we don't even for sure whether his Dad is even going to get it yet!). It feels like quite a big 'responsibility' to be married to a Chief and sons that are Princes!