Rasool has been tapped by President Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africa’s ambassador to the US, a role he held from 2010 to 2015. At 62, isn’t this a great gig? Instead of him retiring, Ramaphosa allows him to travel the world at our expense.

It is not clear what the short-term plan is with this choice, let alone a long-term vision. Yet I am about to say something dull, so feel free to lynch me. Rasool’s appointment is not the worst under the circumstances for a disinterested Ramaphosa...