Once known more for his lavish lifestyle than his leadership, Kenny Kunene is now sitting in one of Johannesburg’s most powerful seats—as acting executive mayor.
But long before he was chasing down lawbreakers and cracking down on undocumented migrants, he was making headlines for very different reasons.
The Man Once Known as the “Sushi King”
If you’ve been around South African pop culture long enough, you probably remember Kenny Kunene’s wild “Sushi King” days.
This was a man who threw extravagant parties where sushi was served off the bodies of models.
The glitz didn’t stop there—he starred in his own reality show and drove luxury cars, all while running multiple side hustles.
But that wasn’t the full story.
A Past That Includes Prison Time and Powerful Friendships
Before becoming a political figure, Kenny had a serious run-in with the law.
He earned a degree in education from Vista University (now Central University of Technology) and briefly worked as an English and History teacher in Klerksdorp.
But during that time, he got involved in fraud and robbery.
In 1997, he was convicted for running a Ponzi scheme and spent six years behind bars in Bloemfontein.
It was in prison where he met fellow inmate and now-Minister Gayton McKenzie.
After their release, the two forged a close bond that led to business ventures and eventually, politics.
Together, they co-founded the Patriotic Alliance party.
From Clubs to Campaigns: The Business Ventures
Kenny’s post-prison life was anything but boring.
Along with McKenzie, he launched the flashy nightclub ZAR in Johannesburg, which became a celebrity hotspot before shutting its doors in 2013.
They also ventured into mining with the Central Rand Gold Mine, which closed in 2011.
But that wasn’t all. Kenny dipped his toes into the music industry with New Money Records, launched a media company (Kusema Media Group), and even built an e-hailing app called Yookoo Rides.
He also worked as a DJ and PR consultant.
Basically, if it had a flashy ring to it, Kenny was likely involved.
A Hardline Approach to Johannesburg’s Problems
Fast forward to today, and Kunene has swapped nightclubs for government raids.
As acting executive mayor of Joburg, he’s made it his mission to clean up the city.
Over the past few weeks, he’s been leading operations to shut down illegal water and electricity connections and helping police detain undocumented migrants.
He’s been vocal about the city’s stance: “We are cleaning Johannesburg,” he told reporters.
“We are dealing with tsotsis. We will run after them.”
That message aligns closely with the Patriotic Alliance’s agenda on undocumented migration.
So, What Are His Actual Qualifications?
Although many are surprised by his current political role, Kunene does have an academic background.
His degree in education landed him a teaching job before his criminal conviction changed the course of his life.
Some see his rise from convicted fraudster to city official as redemption. Others remain skeptical.
Reality TV, PR Hustles, and a Political Pivot
Apart from politics, Kenny has never been far from the spotlight.
His e.tv reality show So What: Big Money, Big Dreams gave viewers a glimpse into his lavish lifestyle.
And his various roles as a public figure, DJ, media mogul, and consultant have kept his name in the news long before his current mayoral duties.
The Big Question—Is Kenny Kunene the Right Man for the Job?
Kenny Kunene’s transformation from controversial celebrity to acting mayor has raised eyebrows across the country.
Some applaud his no-nonsense, action-first approach.
Others question whether someone with such a checkered past should be running one of South Africa’s biggest cities.
What do you think? Is Kenny Kunene stepping up—or just putting on another show?