Kenny Kunene in EFF beret_ Gallo
On the sidelines of a press conference held by the Economic Freedom Fighters, newly formed by Julius Malema, Kunene told the M&G he will no longer be eating sushi from naked women in clubs; instead he will be campaigning on the dancefloor.
The flamboyant businessperson's decision to join the EFF went public in July. It was hot on the heels of an open letter to President Jacob Zuma, in which he called Zuma a "monster” and a "tyrant”.
As if that wasn't evidence enough that Kunene was finished with the ANC – despite being open about funding it as early as 2012 – the former sushi king donned a red beret at the EFF's "national assembly on what is to be done” last week.
Revealing his decision to close his two ZAR nightclubs in Kimberley and Cape Town, Kunene said he will still attend parties, but for honourable campaigning purposes.
"Look, as the commander in chief [Malema] has said, we are not an organisation that operates in the jungle. We are not organising guerilla warfare or a coup d'état; we are going to the polls", he said.
"And we will be seen at parties because that's where our people are. That's where you campaign. We will not be swallowed by parties; we will swallow parties into the revolution. We will go to public places of entertainment and when we are there we will have a drink with you, and if you make the mistake of standing with me for two minutes, I will preach the revolution to you."
Looking within
Kunene's change of heart is a product of introspection, he explained.
"This question comes up every now and then: has Kenny put the life of sushi and parties and women behind him? I've said it over and over again, because I've been focusing on myself and I've been satisfying myself … I have made a conscious decision to contribute to the welfare of our people.
"When you go to the townships and you see the challenges there, you get affected and you are changed in so many ways. My finances can't solve SA's problems; EFF speaks to the challenges faced by ordinary people.”
Kunene knows that the transition from celebrity to politics is a crisis of credibility waiting to be publicised. As the star of his own reality TV show, So What, he has a list of people who have survived the transition in one piece, at the ready.
He said: "Arnold Schwarzeneggar was an actor in science fiction movies acting as a robot chasing predators. He became a governor. Malcom X was a drug dealer who ran an illegal gambling ring. He was a pimp. He got sent to prison for 10 years, served seven, came out and became one of the most important activists. Your past doesn't define who you are going to become.
"Even pastors, like Beyers Naude and Reverend [Frank] Chikane, were men of the cloth who became actively involved in politics. Your past is your past.
"The Bible gives evidence to that. Moses was a murderer but God used him to free his people. Saul was a persecutor of Christians. God used him to spread the Gospel. You become enlightened and you become who you want to become.
"Many condemned me when I lived that lifestyle but they are being exposed every day for living exactly the same lifestyle. I have been open about it. Society should actually be inspired that I'm joining politics. I'm open about everything I do. That transparency, I am bringing to politics. I will be very honest with the EFF and politics.”
Funding
Kunene rejected the idea that his business mini-empire will finance the EFF's political campaign. While he funded the ANC in campaigns gone by, he said he was funding the EFF out of his own pocket.
"All of us are drawing from our pockets to fund this revolution", he said. "By the way, I intend closing two ZARs in Kimberley and Cape Town. I want to focus. I excel at everything I do and I want to excel in my new venture. It's a big challenge not taken lightly.
"We have big enemies – from white monopoly capital to the political opposition. We are dealing with serious people so one needs to focus. I can't be running a club while pushing a political agenda.
"Look, during the campaigns of the ANC I have used my resources, and I think I've said it in my letter to Jacob Zuma, and spent money on the programs of the ANC. I cannot deny that. Anyone who is blessed with means who denies they supported the ANC would be liars.”
And with that, Kunene seamlessly segued into a punt for the EFF's potential middle-class supporters. Doctors, accountants, engineers were all welcome at the EFF, he stressed.
"Anyone that comes to me, they mustn't expect to talk parties: 5% of our time will be parties, 95% of our time will be the revolution," he said.
'Forgive Kenny'
On Thursday, Malema came to Kunene's defence, answering questions from journalists about his extravagant lifestyle.
"South Africans, you forgave apartheid's generals but you can't forgive Kenny?” Malema asked. He said Kunene had apologised for his heavy partying and womanising ways, and that he should not be perpetually castigated for his past mistakes.
"If we can change Kunene, from dating 15 women at once, we can change anyone,” Malema said.
