Kenny on naked art: I've put it in my bedroom so I can wake up to it every morning

Outspoken businessman Kenny Kunene has strongly defended his purchase of a controversial painting insisting that it depicts the "true nature" of the Democratic Alliance.

Kunene has ruffled feathers with his purchase of a painting by artist Iven Amali, which illustrates a naked Helen Zille, Mmusi Maimane and James Selfe.

In the painting, Maimane is depicted as a slave, pulling Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and chairperson of the party's federal council James Selfe in a wagon.

"The artwork shows that Maimane is a slave of the Democratic Alliance. James Selfe looks worried because he's impatient. He doesn't know of Mmusi will bring the black votes that the DA wants," said Kunene.

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The businessman insists he is an avid art collector and has previously purchased paintings from Amali. He says he did not commission the painting, but that the artist contacted him after allegedly being turned down by the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg.

"He told me he made contact with the gallery and they were interested in his work. He was given a card and asked to show his artwork. When he took the piece in a white lady at the gallery shouted at him in shock. She told him it was 'disgusting' and the gallery was not interested," said Kunene.

It was then that Amali contacted Kunene and the two met for Amali to show and explain the painting.

"It resonated with me. I found the story truthful. There was another person who was interested in the work and we were both bidding on it. I paid six figures for it and as a businessman I am willing to resell it should the offer be right."

Kunene admits he made the purchase to point out the so-called hypocritical nature of the DA.

"When it's a painting involving the ANC, and more specifically Zuma, then the DA will support it, saying it is freedom of expression. But when they are shown to be naked, then I hear that they are investigating legal avenues against myself and the artist. If they were true advocates of freedom of expression they would say that they don't like the picture but that it is the artist's way of expressing himself."

Despite the purchase and lambasting of the DA, Kunene insists he is not a member of any political party. "I am a businessman and not a politician. When things resonate with me and speak of some truth then I will speak my mind."

When asked if he would buy the artwork by Ayanda Mabulu, the artist responsible for several paintings of Jacob Zuma in compromising positions, Kunene said no.

"It did not resonate with me. I was not told its story. I didn't understand the context."

Kunene says the piece has been hung up in his bedroom for the moment, explaining that he got his family's approval.

"I brought my kids in and asked them if they were offended by it. They said no. It was in my lounge but then I decided I wanted it in my bedroom so I could wake up and laugh."