President Cyril Ramaphosa has not yet approved the choice, which is  a vital prerequisite in the process.

It’s called agrement.

A country confidentially puts out feelers to the host nation about sending an envoy.

Only when they have the OK is any announcement made.

The US Embassy in Pretoria is being as cagey about reports of the East London born former tennis international Lana Marks as are the South African Presidency and Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

All three concur that any announcement, if indeed there is one, will have to come from the WhiteHouse 

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He says the fact that 120 million American could peacefully and transparently vote Donald Trump to victory after the bitter and coarse rhetoric of the election campaign is a tribute to the strength of US democracy.

Patrick Gaspard was appointed by President Barak Obama who he  credits with leaving the United States stronger and more dignified after two terms in office.

Gaspard says he’s wildy optimistic about the continued strength of America’s bilateral relations with South Africa.

He’s determined to be here for South Africa’s election in 2019.

“I’ve got to be back for that because it looks like being every bit as interesting as our elections has been,” he said.

Gaspard leaves South Africa at the end of his term in  December.

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