Kenny Kunene (born 1970) is a businessman from South Africa.
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Kenny 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] As as an impoverished teenager living under apartheid, Kunene occasionally traveled to wealthy areas of South Africa to daydream about being rich. [1]
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 release he began marketing the work of former bank robber Gayton McKenzie who had since became 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]
Kunene currently lives with his three children in Sandton, a part of Metro Johannesburg.[2] He is a supporter of the ANC and is closely connected to some of Jacob Zuma's top aides.
Kunene is known for his appreciation of sushi, and has been referred to in South Africa as "The Sushi King" or "Mr. Sushi". He is also an advocate of inter-racial relationships in South Africa.[3]