This week we had the pleasure of sitting down with the one and only Kenny Kunene. An individual who is widely hailed as one of South Africa’s most influential individuals is always welcome on the ZAlebs columns and we took the time to chat to him about his recent nomination as the Comedy Central roast, working with Julius Malema and of course, his comments on the DA/Agang debacle. Let’s get straight to it! 

The big news that’s making rounds this week is that you’ve replaced Leon Schuster as the Comedy Central Roastee. How do you feel?

Well, I didn’t replace him. He actually just warmed the seat for me! [Laughs] 

Did it come as a surprise to you that you were chosen to be roasted? 

Not really, because when I read some material after Steve Hofmeyr’s roast, I was one of the people that was suggested to be next in line to be roasted. I’m familiar with the roasting concept, even from the American Comedy Central. I saw Pamela Anderson, Charlie Sheen, Hugh Hefner and Donald Trump. If you look at all those people, those are the people who make an impact in society in unconventional ways. I think I’m one of those people, and so it didn’t really come as a surprise. 

Would you say the people roasting you have a lot of topics to choose from? 

As Comedy Central said, I have enough material about me to do three roasts! THere’s a lot of material about my life. But I don’t think there’s any South African or Comedian who is capable of roasting Sushi! You’ll have a runny stomach all week if you even try. 

If you had to be the one roasting Kenny Kunene, how would you approach it? 

I would make sure I’m properly researched. I wouldn’t take it for granted that I know what Kenny did, who Kenny is. I’d make sure I know the real Kenny Kunene because comedy comes out of knowing the real person. That’s how I’d approach it because roasting me, despite a lot of material being available, won’t be easy. You need to be clever and talented to make people laugh about what I’ve done. Roasting isn’t just mocking somebody, it’s celebrating their life through fun and through comedy. 

Last year we saw you dabble in politics. Joining the EFF before Leaving and thereafter starting your own project. Do you see yourself having a big future in politics?

Yes, I’ve always played a big part in the political world. I was a part of the ANC back room. I thought EFF would have a certain vision but as time went on I realised this is not where I want to be. I then started the Patriotic Alliance, that’s my party, and I’ll be a part of it until I die. There a lot of young people involved but I would love to see more of them have an influence as time goes by. 

Staying with the EFF, I’m just curious. What was it like working with Julius Malema on a daily basis? 

Look we all have our characters. We’re both very independent people. We got along very well, and there’ll always be disagreements, but we worked along very well. At the end of the day we’d have lunch, dinner together, it was cool. 

Is Julius a clubber? Do you guys have clubbing nights? 

He goes out. He’s a fun loving person. He goes out, has a good time, even before I joined the EFF, he was going out. Maybe not so much now, but I’m sure he makes the time for it.  

In the last 2 weeks we saw the whole the DA/Agang “marriage”. At one point it was on and it looked like a massive game changer. Then it was off and it looked like the biggest mess ever. What did you think of the whole thing? 

For me it was a Joke. It was a Joke from both Zille and Ramphele. It showed desperation from Zille and the DA to try and play politics of colour. When they wanted the Western Cape they wanted the coloured vote. Now that it’s time to try and take Gauteng, they wanted a black face. It’s all about Window Dressing for them. It just so happened that, this time around, that particular window dressing was played against them. 

For Mamphela Ramphele it showed a lack of political direction. It showed a lack of political ideology. Before you agree to any sort of merger with anyone you need to say, “Where do we connect ideologically, or in terms of political vision?” I don’t know if that took place, but suddenly there was this marriage. It’s the biggest political joke this country has ever seen. 

Let’s fantasise for a moment. Let’s pretend this “marriage” had worked out. Would it have had a big impact on the election race?

No it wouldn’t have. Firstly, why do you need an outsider when you have people within the party that you claim to believe in? Why can’t your leader who has parliamentary experience to be your presidential candidate? Why are you bringing in a person with boardroom experience, with academic experience to run a parliamentary campaign? It showed that DA were clearly playing a game of players, trying to find a “credible black” person. It’s a mess!

We’re still trying to catch our collective breaths from the insightful interview that the sushi king, Kenny Kunene gave to us. We have exclusive video footage of Kenny discussing the South African political game. We also have some exciting Valentine's day tips from the man who has no issues getting ladies. Look out for that this week!