Kenny Kunene gives Bongani Madondo a candid interview on Zwelinzima Vavi as his marketing tool
Businessperson Kenny Kunene spoke to Eusebius McKaiser on PowerFM on Wednesday, listing the Economic Freedom Fighters' goals to liberate South Africans' economically and "change the life of citizens in my lifetime".
But a caller to the show questioned Kunene's credentials and mentioned past statements by the controversial businessperson – where he expressed that he wanted to make a pornography show – as reasons not to trust Kunene's politics ability.
"If you are going to judge me by my past, it's unfortunate. But what are you doing [to change the country]? At least I am doing something," he answered.
"The Bible has shown us, and life has shown us, that people can change and be used for a common good," Kunene answered. "I have put my past life behind me, I'm focusing on life ahead."
Kunene also said during the show that the political platform, started in June by former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and former league spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, would push for the nationalisation of mines and fix issues of land reform.
No benefit
McKaiser asked Kunene how the Economic Freedom Fighters would ensure nationalising mines would create economic wealth for ordinary South Africans when previous examples proved that state-owned mines did not benefit the community.
"These parastatals can work and the Economic Freedom Fighters can make them work. We cannot say that just because the current government could not make it work, it cannot work. It is about proper leadership, proper governance, and proper implementation."
McKaiser asked Kunene how the group would use proper governance when their main members, including Malema and Shivambu, lacked governing experience.
"I think Floyd is more intellectual than many people who say that he does not have experience in anything," Kunene retorted.
During the show, McKaiser questioned Kunene's lack of experience in active politics.
Trade union experience
Kunene replied saying he had a political background, listing his memberships in some trade unions.
He said he was arrested in 1986 while he was a member of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, was part of the Student Representative Council of the Central University of Technology, and was a member of the executive branch of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union while he worked as a teacher.
But he admitted that he did not have experience in formal politics.
"When it comes to formal politics, we come from a history of the liberation struggle. Nelson Mandela didn't have any experience in formal politics – neither did [former president] Thabo Mbeki or Jacob Zuma. However, you can be in politics as long as you have the will and have the interest of the people at heart," he said.
Kunene on Monday announced his decision to join the Economic Freedom Fighters. "I have made the decision to join active politics based on two things," he said on the show.
"Firstly, my decision comes after gross allegations made by [ANC spokesperson] Jackson Mthembu and [ANC secretary general] Gwede Mantashe in response to my letter. Secondly, due to young people and ordinary people approaching me on social media and asking me to enter politics," he said.
The letter he referred to was an of being "a monster and a tyrant", for which Mthembu and Mantashe lambasted him.