Bitter-sweet end for ZAR Sandton
IT WAS a bitter-sweet last hurray shindig at a teeming ZAR Lounge in Sandton on Saturday night when co-owner Kenny Kunene announced the closure of the popular nightspot.
DON'T BELIEVE A WORD: Kenny Kunene denies that his ZAR Lounge in Sandton is closing down. Photo: Tshepo Kekana The official reason for the closure of the ZAR Lounge is that the owners of the Radison Hotel - where the club has been renting for the past three years - wanted to use the space for their own business.
It was a bitter-sweet last function for Kunene, now self-dubbed DJ Sushi Mix, as in one breath he announced the closure of ZAR and that he was about to release a 23-track double album.
He also announced that his show on e.tv, So What, would continue for another season.
"ZAR has not closed down, no matter what anyone says," he said. "Don't believe the nonsense you read in the newspapers that the ZAR lounge is closing down.
"What's going to happen now is that ZAR is going to the people.
"It will go to all the provinces and townships and everywhere else where people who love quality entertainment can be found," Kunene said.
But sources in the Gauteng Liquor Inspectorate, which grants liquor licences, informed Sowetan that the ZAR Lounge was actually operating without a proper liquor licence.
When asked how he plans to run a "roving nightclub" that sells liquor without a proper licence, considering he would have to apply for licences all the time, Kunene responded: "We will abide by the law. If you respect the law you have nothing to fear and no one will stand in your way."
Kunene also blasted the media for "misrepresentation", using unprintable language.
"My TV show has been so successful that e.tv has now decided to air it on Mondays during prime time.
"The second season will now air on Mondays at half-past eight for the next three months.
"My show was never canned, contrary to what a lot of people out there said.
"e.tv is giving So What a second season. This just shows that my show has been very successful.
"I'm grateful to e.tv for giving me this opportunity," Kunene said.
So What returns to the small screen on March 19.
Kunene gave the media copies of two tracks from his soon-to-be-released double album.
He said his passion for music began in 1988 when he bought himself "deejaying equipment".
The ZAR Lounge opened on June 10 2010 and was one of Joburg's most successful and exclusive venues.
With convenient access to the Sandton Gautrain station, and across the road from Sandton City, the southern hemisphere's largest shopping centre, the venue gave an unimpeded view of both the Johannesburg and Sandton central business districts.
Mashebolane
Talk about late puberty.... "don't believe the nonsense you read on the news papers" yet you're using the same media to tell us your plans. WTF! you need to grow some ballsReport Abuse
ApelMankotsana
@RobinH....Excatly my point. Why put on a toy gun as a decor..that's irresponsible..Well done Redison Hotel for closing this non sense...Please Sowetan tell us about people who will inspire us to be good citizens..not this mafias.Report Abuse
phetlapi
I also agree with mashebolane,he is using de media 2 brief us bt on de other side he is accusing de very same media of lying.so who must we believe?Report Abuse
Mangoz
anvious bitchi*es, go kenny go, make this the best of your time, persue every opportunity guy, haters are everywhere, they are just uplifting your spirit, adding more fuel to da flame, u r blazing already boy, nice clothing (mafia style + a gun??) ha ha ha ha waspida saan!!!!!!!!!!!!!Report Abuse
MorenaWaPolelo
"DJ Sushi" Mix he he he he he he he he tl tl tl tl kikikikiki Thata DJ.....This guy if he keps running his mouth his show will b canned by etv...he does not know how media works!!!Report Abuse