There are no proxies nor are there unity candidates. The nomination process will determine who may stand for which position. As for Mkhize, no long ago after the cabinet reshuffle he expressed concerns that he had a distinct impression that the ANC is no longer the political centre. With such sentiments, he is unlikely to be anyone's proxy, more so Jacob Zuma. He is a candidate in his own right, and unlike CR17 and NDZ, he preferred to work the branches and not engage in public campaigning. When the nomination numbers are tallied, he will be far ahead of the pack.