AKA weighs in on naked Zille, Maimane artwork bought by Kenny Kunene

29 July 2016 - 10:02 By TMG Entertainment
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Musician AKA has weighed in on the controversial artwork bought by businessman Kenny Kunene which depicts a naked Helen Zille, Mmusi Maimane and James Selfe.

NOT A WINNING BET: AKA performs during the 2016 BET Experience in Los Angeles, California
NOT A WINNING BET: AKA performs during the 2016 BET Experience in Los Angeles, California
Image: JESSE GRANT/GETTY IMAGES

Posting a picture of Kunene with the artwork, AKA poked fun at those angry at the art, referring to previous artwork done by controversial artist Ayanda Mabulu.

"Freedom of speech is nice ne?    .... Or is this a problem now? They want to drone on about Freedom of Speech when paintings like this are drawn about our own President. Their cartoonists, and their "artists" They laugh. Let's all laugh now together .... As South Africans."

Mabulu is the artist behind several paintings of Jacob Zuma in compromising positions.

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Kunene's purchase elicited mixed reactions on social media, with some people in shock, while other's applauded it.

The businessman has confirmed to TMG Entertainment that the artist is Iven Amali and said that he had spent a large sum of money on it.

"I never comment on how much I spend but speculation that it was more than six figures is not completely rubbish," he said.

Meanwhile Mmusi Maimane labelled the painting as "crude" and "silly."

“It’s a crude‚ disgusting painting that belongs in a dustbin and not on display. Kenny Kunene is trying to gain some kind of publicity through someone who is relevant and trying to bring change to South Africa. We are not distracted by this silly painting. We are working hard to win elections on August 3‚” he said.

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