Well, Mantashe cannot be neutral, if he is also a potential candidate on the top six (as a possible chairperson).  On the other hand Ramaphosa is notionally ahead of the pack, only because if is getting favorable media coverage and has the support of big business (he is actually lagging behind in the ANC's numbers game). It if for this reasons the SACP and COSATU have resolved to go big with a march against Zuma to build/swing the momentum in favor of Ramaphosa. Then again, Zuma has at least two shocker-cards he can deal (scorthed-earth style) before the conference to turn the whole thing on its head and throw the conference and the country into a total sate of chaos. This could mean Dlamini-Zuma going to the conference as either the deputy-president or president of the country. He will have to read the nomination process (and the mood within and outside the ANC) before dealing one of, or both, cards. We could potentially have two deputy presidents contesting the presidency of the ANC.