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‘Why is it an issue?’: Kunene hits back at criticism of him promoting Ace of Spades alcohol ‘special’
While South Africans face health risks due to the poor quality of tap water, Kenny Kunene is not shy to promote expensive champagne.
City of Joburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene has been criticised on social media after he posted a ‘promo video’ for a special deal on Ace of Spades Champagne at a Johannesburg liquor outlet on his TikTok account. Photos: TikTok screengrab and Twitter
Kenny Kunene, aka the “Sushi King”, has come under fire for a social media post in which the City of Johannesburg Transport MMC raves about a special offer on the oh-so pricey Ace of Spades French Champagne at a Johannesburg liquor store.
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Kenny Kunene’s taste for expensive alcohol
Kunene, who is also the deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), is well known for his expensive taste in alcohol.
During the Covid-19 hard lockdown, Kunene, who started out as a tavern owner, posted a proud “show-and-tell” video on social media of the contents of his personal bar.
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Two boxes of Ace of Spades… and a golden ice bucket
In the “promo video” which recently surfaced on the controversial politician and businessman’s TikTok account, a visibly excited Kunene tells viewers about Boulevard Cellars’ special on Ace of Spades Champagne.
Dressed in a cheeky pair of neon orange trousers and a checkered tie, he then struts into the store to indulge in an Ace of Spades shopping spree.
He orders two boxes of his beloved bubbly… Oh, and don’t forget about the golden ice bucket. Money flows like champagne at the popular “millionaire’s playground” Konka Soweto when the Sushi King stocks up it seems.
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‘Disgustingly out of touch’
ActionSA Eastern Cape chairman Athol Trollip has joined the chorus of South Africans expressing their displeasure with the video of the Joburg Transport MCC endorsing the Rivonia liquor store.
In reply to a Tweep’s remark of “conspicuous consumption by the leaders we deserve”, Trollip said:
“Disgustingly out-of-touch Skhothane behaviour by Kenny Kunene, who also no doubt handsomely paid for his trashy promotion.”
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‘I have a social life’ – Kunene
When approached by TimesLIVE, Kunene made light of the criticism.
“I post pictures with bottles all the time. Why is it that suddenly it is an issue? Elections are coming up and political parties are trying to raise things that are of no significance. What I do with my life has nothing to do with them,” he said.
“I am on the ground, working, fixing roads and traffic lights, but I am not a career politician. I am not going to lie to the people and pretend to be a highly moral person who doesn’t drink alcohol or party. I have a social life.”
Kunene’s infamous Sushi King parties of the past would surely attest to him having a social life…
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Champagne lifestyle of the rich: The price of Ace of Spades
Although Kunene seems to be “acing” it these days, the MMC used to be notoriously fond of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut which retails for R6 000 a bottle.
In 2014, rapper Jay Z acquired a stake in Armand de Brignac Champagne, nicknamed Ace of Spades, almost a decade after referencing the French Champagne brand in his music and seeing it become a nightclub favourite.
The “cheapest” bottle of Ace of Spades costs around R5 700 while the Ace of Spades Armand de Brignac Rosé Jeroboam will set you back an eye-watering R57 999.
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