Kenny Kunene Net Worth 2025: Age, Family, Career, and DJ Sumbody Murder Scandal
Kenny Kunene, the self-proclaimed “Sushi King” of South Africa, has long been a lightning rod for controversy—from his prison stint for fraud to his flashy political exploits and ties to high-profile scandals. As Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and a Johannesburg city councilor, Kunene’s life blends opulence, activism, and allegation. With searches spiking after his 2025 entanglement in the DJ Sumbody murder probe, this guide uncovers Kenny Kunene’s net worth, age, family details, and more. Updated as of October 11, 2025, we sift through court records, financial estimates, and media reports to reveal the man behind the headlines.
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Early Life and Background
Born on October 21, 1970, in the mining town of Odendaalsrus, Free State, Kenny Kunene grew up in poverty in the township of Kutlwanong. Raised by his mother—an evangelist and faith healer—and his grandmother, a midwife who was the family’s sole breadwinner, Kunene never knew his father. His early years were steeped in struggle, but student activism ignited his fire: At 15, he was jailed for six months for protesting apartheid.
Kunene attended Marobe Primary and Rearabetswe Secondary schools before earning a teaching qualification at Vista University (now part of the University of Pretoria). He became an English and history teacher, but moonlighted at a shebeen, dipping into crime like fraud and robberies—foreshadowing his turbulent path.
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Kenny Kunene Age and Personal Details
As of October 11, 2025, Kenny Kunene is 54 years old, with his 55th birthday looming later this month. At about 5’9″ (175 cm), he’s instantly recognizable by his bold fashion—designer suits, luxury watches—and unapologetic swagger. Kunene’s persona screams resilience: a former convict turned tycoon, he’s a motivational speaker who preaches redemption while living large in Sandton’s elite enclaves.
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Beyond politics, Kunene owns media outlets like Weekly Xposé and AfricaNews 24-7, and he’s starred in reality TV (So What: Big Money, Big Dreams, 2011) and even got roasted by Comedy Central Africa in 2014. His faith, rooted in his mother’s influence, often tempers his bravado, but critics slam his extravagance amid South Africa’s inequalities.
Family Life: Wives, Children, and a Blended Legacy
Kunene’s family life mirrors his rollercoaster career—marked by divorce, high-profile romances, and a commitment to fatherhood. He was first married to Mathato Kunene for 16 years, divorcing in 2012 amid rumors of affairs with radio host Zama Ngcobo and actress Sophie Ndaba. The couple shares three children: Mpho, Thato, and Mosa.
In 2017, at age 46, Kunene wed 22-year-old Nonkululeko “MaRemo” Whitney Mhlanga, a glamorous entrepreneur 24 years his junior, known for her love of Louis Vuitton and Gucci. The pair, married after four years of dating, live in a Sandton mansion with their four children: son Remo (born 2017, dubbed “Baby Billionaire”), daughter Reemona (2022), another son (age 3 as of 2023), and youngest Renny Seakhela (born December 2023). Kunene often gushes about Whitney as his “biggest blessing,” crediting her for embracing his blended family.
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Despite his playboy past, Kunene now prioritizes family, sharing maternity shoots and homecomings on social media. Yet, his 2025 scandals have rippled into his home life, testing the couple’s united front.
Career Journey: From Teacher to Tender Tycoon and Politico
Kunene’s arc is pure South African grit: After prison (1997-2003 for a Ponzi scheme), he taught at Calculus Private School in Bloemfontein. Teaming with ex-convict Gayton McKenzie, he launched a seafood business in 2006 and X Concept Publishing to promote McKenzie’s prison memoir. By 2008, he consulted for Central Rand Gold, navigating mining rights amid fraud probes.
The 2010s exploded with ZAR nightclub in Cape Town, infamous for “sushi parties” on scantily clad models—earning his “Sushi King” moniker and moral backlash. He founded New Money Records (releasing ZAR Sushi Mix in 2012) and Grand West Entertainment for events. In 2019, he debuted Yookoo Rides, a cheaper Uber rival via Smart City Technology.
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Politically, Kunene co-founded the PA in 2013 with McKenzie, serving as Secretary-General until 2014. He flirted with the EFF before recommitting to PA, becoming Deputy President. In 2023, he joined Johannesburg’s Mayoral Committee as Transport MMC, pushing KPIs and service reforms. His ventures span PR, mining, skills training, and media—fueling his influence in Gauteng’s power circles.
Kenny Kunene Net Worth in 2025
Kenny Kunene’s net worth is estimated at R260-270 million (about $14.3-14.8 million USD) in late 2025, built on nightlife empires, tech, and political perks. His Sandton mansion, luxury fleet, and media holdings anchor this wealth, though probes into past fraud (e.g., Central Rand Gold) cast shadows.
| Asset Category | Estimated Value (ZAR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nightclubs & Entertainment (e.g., ZAR, Grand West) | R80-100 million | Peak revenue from events; ZAR Cape Town flagship |
| Tech & Transport (Yookoo Rides, Smart City Tech) | R50-70 million | E-hailing app; ongoing expansions |
| Mining & Consulting (Central Rand Gold ties) | R40-50 million | Historical deals; under scrutiny |
| Real Estate & Luxury (Sandton Mansion, Cars) | R60-80 million | Includes Ferrari, Lamborghini collection |
| Media & Other (Weekly Xposé, Records) | R20-30 million | Publishing, music; diversified income |
Controversies and Legal Battles: Sushi Scandals to Sumbody Shadows
Kunene thrives on controversy. His 1997 Ponzi conviction landed him six years in Grootvlei Prison, where he partied to build alliances. Post-release, 2011’s ZAR sushi parties ignited fury over objectification. Mining fraud probes in 2012 accused him and McKenzie of duping Sowetans.
Politics amplified the noise: EFF stints ended in clashes, and his PA role drew “gangster politics” barbs. In July 2025, police found him at Katiso “KT” Molefe’s home during Molefe’s arrest for masterminding DJ Sumbody’s 2022 murder—Kunene claimed he was facilitating a journalist’s interview. Suspended by PA, he resigned as Johannesburg councillor and Transport MMC, but a Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr probe cleared him by September. Reinstated, he was re-sworn as councillor on September 26 and eyes the 2026 mayoral race. Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola alleged two visits, but Kunene denies wrongdoing. The DA demands probes into his transport projects.
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Conclusion: Redemption or Reckoning for the Sushi King?
At 54, Kenny Kunene’s R260 million empire—from prison cells to Sandton suites—epitomizes South Africa’s unequal hustle. With wife Whitney and seven children grounding him, and PA ambitions soaring, his 2025 Molefe saga underscores the blurred lines between power and peril. Cleared but not forgotten, Kunene’s eyeing Johannesburg’s mayoral throne in 2026. Is he a reformed hustler or a controversy magnet? As he micromanages transport KPIs post-reinstatement, the city watches closely.
