Kenny Kunene

Kenny Kunene (born 21 October 1970) is a South African businessman and Secretary-General of the Patriotic Alliance.

Early life

Kenny Kunene was raised by his mother and grandparents. Kunene's mother has served as an Evangelist and faith healer. While he was growing up near Odendaalsrus his grandmother, a midwife, was the family's sole breadwinner.[1]

Career

Kunene attended Vista University and later became an English teacher.[1][2] Kunene later turned to crime, however, and was imprisoned from 1997 to 2003 after being convicted of running a ponzi scheme.[1][2] While in prison, he often organized parties among the inmates to build goodwill among his fellow inmates.[3] After he was released he began marketing the work of former bank robber Gayton McKenzie who had since become a motivational speaker. Kunene and McKenzie then invested in a seafood distribution business. Kunene has also worked as a public relations consultant and lobbyist for mining companies.[1] In March 2012 the Hawks (special police investigative unit) spokesman McIntosh Polela confirmed that the Hawks have done an investigation into Kunene regarding fraudulent representations to communities and potential shareholders as part of the application for mining rights by Central Rand Gold (CRG).[4] No charges were, however, ever levelled.

Kunene was a supporter of the African National Congress until 2013 when he wrote a scathing open letter to President Jacob Zuma criticising his leadership.[5] In July 2013, Kunene briefly joined the Economic Freedom Fighters as a high-profile member of the organisation's "Central Command Team" before resigning from the organisation in August 2013.[6][7]

In November 2013 Kunene became the Secretary-General of a newly formed political party, the Patriotic Alliance.[8]

Personal life

Kunene currently lives with his three children in Sandton, Johannesburg.[2]

Kunene is known for his appreciation of sushi, and has been referred to in South Africa as "The Sushi King" or "Mr. Sushi". His birthday party on 21 October 2010 that hosted the then ANCYL president Julius Malema and featured nyotaimori[9] was criticised by COSATU secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi, leading to a political row.[10][11] Also, the ANCWL condemned nyotaimori at Kunene's party as an attack on the bodily integrity and dignity of women in South Africa.[12]

In Media

Kenny Kunene was the star of South African reality television show So What: Big Money, Big Dreams which aired on e.tv during 2011. In 2013 he appeared in the fourth episode of the British travel documentary television series The Moaning of Life. In April 2014, Kunene was the Roastee of Comedy Central Africa's Roast of Kenny Kunene.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Dugger, Celia (14 February 2011). "Partying Amid Poverty Stirs South Africa Debate". The New York Times. p. A4. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ten Things Many Don't Know About Mr Sushi". The Times. Johannesburg. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  3. ↑ Grange, Helen (6 February 2011). "A chat with 'Sushi King'". Independent Online. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.sundayworld.co.za/news/2013/06/30/hawks-investigating-sushi-king-kenny
  5. ↑ http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/kenny-kunene-s-letter-to-zuma-1.1535280
  6. ↑ Economic Freedom Fighters. "Central Command Team". http://effighters.org.za. Retrieved 5 August 2013. External link in |website= (help)
  7. ↑ http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/Kunene-quits-EFF-20130826
  8. ↑ "Gang links to new parties". Independent Online. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  9. ↑ Malema Eats Sushi With Kenny, Zalebs
  10. ↑ Vavi's Sushi War Hots Up, The Sowetan, 29 October 2010
  11. ↑ COSATU Deputy Lashes Kunene, The Sowetan, 1 November 2010
  12. ↑ A chat with 'Sushi King', Tonight, 6 February 2011
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