That was: The hope of the non-aligned majority of South Africans has been for a compromise or "third-way" candidate to emerge as the ANC nomination process gets underway. It became clear this week that was not to be. The race polarised clearly into an Mbeki-Zuma affair. The adverse judgements on Zuma’s bid to suppress evidence that could see him charged anew are unlikely to prevent his nomination in six weeks time. Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa are picking up enough branch nominations to be relevant, but nothing like enough to make it to the ballot sheet in Polokwane. It seems the compromise, if it is to happen, must now be proposed from the floor in Polokwane and the rules do not encourage that.

Bad week for: Jacob Zuma. Four Supreme Court of Appeal rulings mean that prosecutors can use documents and information he sought to suppress in the arms deal-linked corruption investigation against him.

Good week for: Jacob Zuma. The adverse court judgement will galvanise his supporters, fuel the conspiracy theory that its all a plot to keep him out and, according to the "no such thing as bad publicity" doctrine, keep his name on the front pages.

Week ahead: The Zuma roadshow will continue, but expect President Mbeki to make the running with Imbizos and meetings with economists and official reports hammering home the message that all good things come from him.

With acknowledgement to The Times.