Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kenny Kunene |
| Date of Birth | 21 October 1970 (age 54 years) |
| Place of Birth | Near Odendaalsrus, Free State, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Businessman, Politician, Motivational Speaker, Teacher, Activist |
| Political Party | Patriotic Alliance (Deputy President) |
| Previous Roles | Secretary-General of the Patriotic Alliance (2013-2014) |
| Education | Attended Marobe Primary School, Rearabetswe Secondary School, Vista University |
| Criminal History | Convicted in 1997 for running a Ponzi scheme; served six years in prison |
| Business Ventures | Founder of YooKoo Ride (e-hailing taxi app), Club ZAR, seafood distribution business |
| Family | Married to Nonkululeko “MaRemo” Whitney Mhlanga; has five children: Mpho, Thato, Mosa, Remo, Reemona |
| Residence | Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa |
Early Life and Education
Kenny Kunene was born on 21 October 1970 near Odendaalsrus, Free State, South Africa. Raised by his mother and grandparents, his early life was marked by involvement in student politics during the 1980s. At age 15, he was imprisoned for six months due to his participation in student protests.
Kunene attended Marobe Primary School, Rearabetswe Secondary School, and Vista University, later becoming an English and history teacher.
Career
After a stint as a teacher, Kunene ventured into business, eventually facing legal trouble for running a Ponzi scheme in 1997, for which he served six years in prison. Post-incarceration, he turned to motivational speaking and co-founded various businesses, including a seafood distribution company and the e-hailing taxi app YooKoo Ride.
Kunene has been involved in public relations consulting, mining lobbying, and political activism, initially supporting the African National Congress (ANC) before critiquing its leadership and moving on to other political affiliations.
Personal Life
Kenny Kunene is married to Nonkululeko “MaRemo” Whitney Mhlanga and has five children. He is known for his extravagant lifestyle, including controversial “sushi parties” and appearances on reality television shows like So What: Big Money, Big Dreams.
Kunene continues to be a prominent figure in South African business and politics, currently serving as Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance and as Transport MMC in the city of Johannesburg.
This biography encapsulates Kenny Kunene’s journey from his early struggles and activism to his entrepreneurial ventures and political engagements in South Africa.