Two former Cabinet ministers and an opposition leader will begin training as South Africa’s chief envoys in key diplomatic posts on Monday.

Fierce speculation about their appointments has forced the International Relations and Cooperation Department to announce their appointments a little earlier than it would have liked.

The vital agreement from host countries has not been received but Zola Skweyiya, Ngconde Balfour and Tony Leon will all start training.

The department said they will learn how to run a mission and work with their senior officials.

Meanwhile, a departmental statement said the agreement process is still in motion.

There have been recent cases where a host country has refused South African ambassadors.

The statement does not name Skweyiya as heading to London, Balfour destined for Gaborone and Leon taking up a post in Buenos Aires.

The statement also does not mention Pallo Jordan, who has been tipped to become ambassador to the United Nations.