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The South African
23-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Partners in crime? Inside Gayton and Kenny Kunene's lucrative businesses
Gayton McKenzie has defended Kenny Kunene as 'innocent' after the latter was found at the home of KT Katiso Molefe, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Oupa John Sefoka, also known as DJ Sumbody. The friends and business partners have come a long way after meeting at a Bloemfontein prison more than two decades ago. In 1997, Kenny Kunene – a qualified teacher – was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and spent six years at the Grootvlei prison in Bloemfontein. During this time, he befriended Gayton McKenzie, who was serving time for armed robbery. The duo began hustling from behind bars by smuggling cash and food. Gayton and Kenny reunited after their release and vowed to go into business together. They initially sold the former's motivational book, The Choice , to schools around the country. Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene's rise from rags to riches has largely been due to their ability to start and sell successful businesses for a profit. The duo was mentored by businessmen Greg James and Gavin Varejes, and soon, they started their mining business, Central Rand Gold. Their mining business extended to other African countries. The duo co-founded ZAR Empire Holdings, which had dealings in entertainment, property, and mining. The company established the publishing group, X-Concepts, which is behind Gayton's multiple memoirs, including The Hustler's Bible. They founded the ZAR nightclub franchise, a hotspot for many celebrities in the early 2000s. The pals also founded Rivonia On Deck, another popular entertainment venue. For those who don't know: Kenny Kunene, a convicted criminal in his own right, is Gayton McKenzie's right-hand man and long time partner in 'business' and politics. — A Political Economist (@politicaleconZA) July 23, 2025 According to Kenny Kunene, Gayton and himself also sold fish and chicken from their car boots, marketed tickets to motivational talks to corporate companies, and also became security advisors to other businesses and the public. 'I went from sleeping on the floor to sleeping on the top floor of fancy hotels. I did it all!', Kenny said in his reality TV show, So What: Big Money, Big Dreams. In 2013, Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene cofounded the Patriotic Alliance. The political party was multiracial but particularly focused on serving the interests of the country's coloured communities. At the time, Gayton had 'poached' Kenny from the Economic Freedom Front (EFF), which he was a member of. He told Mail & Guardian at the time: 'I don't want to become a member of Parliament, nor does Kenny… want to work with the people on the ground.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Scoop
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Halton Hart ‘The Sparks' - Little Boots - Big Dreams!
Friday, 11 July 2025, 2:02 pm Press Release: Key 2 Artist Promotions Halton Hart's new single 'Little Boots' is all about chasing the big dreams to be big country stars! The girls have a video diary of their trip to Tamworth in 2025 - A dream to go over there! The Gold Guitars! (Photo/Supplied) 'Little Boots' (Big Dreams) won Georgia Martin and Meila Scully the 2025 MLT NZ Junior Duo Gold Guitar Award. Meila also won the Junior Country Rock Award and was the 2025 MLT NZ Junior Overall Runner Up. The girls perform the song with sass, energy and love. Every time they sing it the crowd is in the palm of their hands .. Smiles and energy everywhere. Georgia and Meila co-wrote 'Little Boots' with Kayla Mahon (Mum/Aunty Kayla) and songwriter Andrea Cruickshank. Andrea is originally from Gore and also grew up in the Gore Country Music Club Family. Halton Hart is a very rare and unique musical family of 8 girls, where music plays a massive role in their lives. All the girls have been taught music by Gore based recording artist Kayla Mahon with all starting at the young age of 2, up on the stage, singing on the country music competition circuit. Halton Hart are Caitlyn 17, Marissa 16, and Erica Byars 10, Jaelyn 10 and Meila Scully 12, Taegan 10 and Hazel Evans 7, and Georgia Martin 11. © Scoop Media
The South African
02-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Prison to parliament: Kenny Kunene's qualifications revealed
Before making headlines as Joburg's acting executive mayor, cracking down on undocumented migrants, Kenny Kunene was once dubbed the 'Sushi King' who ate food off the naked bodies of beautiful models. He was also known as a convicted fraudster who befriended now Minister Gayton McKenzie in prison, where they later founded the Patriotic Alliance. Kenny has also lived a flashy lifestyle, been the star of his own reality TV show, and run a series of businesses and side hustles. But, what qualifications does the man helming Johannesburg have? In recent weeks, Kenny Kunene has had his hands full with being the acting executive mayor of Joburg. He has spent his time raiding derelict buildings, targeting illegal water and electricity connections in the city, as well as assisting in the arrests of undocumented migrants. As per the Patriotic Alliance's mandate on illegal foreigners, Kenny told reporters this week: 'We are putting them in vans so they can go to Lindela [Repatriation Centre] and go back to their countries He added: 'We are cleaning Johannesburg…we are dealing with tsotsis, we will run [after them'. Kenny Kunene graduated from Vista University, now the Central University of Technology, with a degree in education. He worked as an English and history teacher at a Klerskdorp school. During this time, he engaged in criminal activities including robbery and fraud. In 1997, he was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and spent six years at a Bloemfontein prison, where he befriended Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie. Kenny Kunene is known for both politics and a flashy lifestyle. Images via Instagram: @kenny_kunene After their release, the reformed criminals went into business together, co-founding popular Johannesburg nightclub ZAR, which closed in 2013. The duo also co-owned Central Rand Gold Mine, which shit down in 2011. Apart from becoming the Patriotic Alliance deputy-president, the man dubbed the 'Sushi King' also had several other side hustles, including: Founding music label New Money Records. Founding Kusema Media Group, which produced news platforms, Weekly Xposé, and AfricaNews 24-7, later remanded Africa News Global. Creator of e-hailing app Yookoo Rides Working as a 'marketing and PR consultant', as well as a part-time DJ. Being the star of reality TV show, So What: Big Money, Big Dreams Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Sharjah 24
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Expert panel at SCRF 2025 explores how curiosity fuels creativity
Little Minds... Big Dreams The panel discussion titled 'Little Minds... Big Dreams', part of the Cultural Programme at the 12-day annual festival, saw Xin Li, Amal Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Hanqari and Eman AlYousuf delve deep into how intellectual curiosity in early childhood drives not only creativity, but also empathy, innovation, and critical thinking. How evolving platforms are reshaping young minds Known for her debut picture book I Lived Inside a Whale and her illustrations in You and the Universe – a collaboration with Lucy and Professor Stephen Hawking – Xin spoke candidly about how evolving platforms are reshaping young minds. 'Kids still watch TV, but it's streaming. They still listen to the radio, but now it's podcasts,' she said. 'The medium hasn't disappeared – only the platform has changed.' Having lived across cultures, Xin believes today's children need more than just information – they need connection and real-world experience. 'There's a huge difference between being told sand is soft on the beach, and actually feeling it between your toes,' she said. 'That's the kind of knowledge we're at risk of losing if children stay glued to screens instead of engaging with the world.' The Chinese-born, Norway-based illustrator who draws from her own cross-cultural upbringing to create picture books that bridge emotional and linguistic gaps, urged both parents and educators to embrace dialogue over control. 'Sometimes I look at my daughter and realise: this world is hers, not mine. My childhood looked nothing like hers. So instead of trying to impose what I knew, I step back—and start a conversation.' The role of parents Talking about the role of parents, Emirati writer Eman Al Yousuf said: 'The greatest strength we can give a child is the ability to think. When a child feels safe, supported, and close to a parent—almost like a friend—they begin to share, to question, and to grow into someone who thinks critically, not just repeats.' Citing examples of how superstar footballers influence popular perception these days more than anyone else, the author of T he Window Which Saw, Guard the Sun, The Resurrection of Others highlighted how in today's world, cultural diplomacy isn't just about officials any longer. 'It's about content. A child might not know who the prime minister of a certain country is, but they know the footballer of that country's team. These are the new ambassadors. This makes early education through stories and media incredibly powerful.' Meanwhile, academician Amal Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Hanqari highlighted the powers of learning by watching friends. 'Through workshops, I've seen how education delivered by peers is more impactful than from adults. Children imitate their friends more than they obey instructions, and that's something we can use positively,' she said, narrating real life anecdotes. 'I remember two children registered as deaf and mute. But in a music class, they suddenly started to sing with others. They weren't disabled—they were silenced, perhaps by fear, perhaps by family. This is what happens when we don't listen to their voices and suppress them instead.' The discussion is part of a broader cultural and educational agenda at SCRF 2025, which features over 600 workshops, panels, and sessions under this year's theme Dive Into Books .
