It would appear there are two separate races playing out ahead of December at the moment. There is the race to win between the players, the Nkosazana Dlamini Zumas and Cyril Ramaphosas. And then there is the race to predict who will win. It’s a game almost as dangerous, for reputational reasons, as the main event itself. But over the last few days we have received a few datum points that may start to present a picture of at least how the final outcome could be predicted. However, just the fact that the data could actually be available may in itself have implications for what happens, and whether the ANC’s conference is held at all. By STEPHEN GROOTES.