OCCASIONALLY some of the most unattractive men in the world have an army of younger and beautiful women seeking their attention.

Take a guy like Kenny Kunene, aka Mr Sushi. He is a self-confessed polygamist, not the most attractive guy around, short and always in the newspapers for the wrong reasons, including eating sushi from women's bodies.

But this does not seem to turn women off.

Almost every weekend tabloids report about his womanising and beautiful women are still falling over themselves to get to him.

Black Coffee - perceived to be unattractive in some quarters - is also a hit with women. Chwayita Mtose, a beautiful, leggy model, was impregnated and later dumped by him. He then married Mbali Mlotshwa, one of the most beautiful women on TV.

The Big Nuz chaps - who need to lose some kilos and get a stylist - do not scare women either.

The list of this kind of man goes on and on. What could be attracting these women to them?

Simply, it's their money, relationship expert Banele Maphondo says.

Maphondo says these pretty women who date or marry obscenely wealthy men are interested in the money, the power and the status it brings.

"Many women chase rich men solely for the money, while others don't need the cash and are independent, but are still attracted to the power and stature that comes with wealth.

"They probably get through the sex by closing their eyes or thinking of other men or, worse still, thinking of when the man is going to die so she can inherit all the wealth."

He says that ugly as it mighty sound, women are sex objects and men are success objects.

"Women are judged on their looks and men on their money, power and status. Women are by nature are attracted to power and know he could take care of them."

He says just because a woman finds a rich, powerful man appealing, doesn't mean that she is incapable of appreciating other qualities he might possess.

Psychologist Asiphe Ndlela argues money does not make a man more attractive, but it can make being with him more attractive.

She says money certainly earns rich men the few extra minutes of attention needed to allow their great personalities to outshine their physical shortcomings.

"If a woman is in search of a particular situation or lifestyle, being with a rich man will be a very attractive proposition.

"Men are not unaware of this fact. Some men let their money talk for them to cover up their lack of character and personality.

"They have no incentive to change or better themselves, because they know they have something that is just as important as those other qualities."

She says studies have found that there is a positive relationship between money or income, and how you look.

But Ndlela warns that a man who has his whole self-worth riding on his bank account could fall into thinking only gold-diggers would give him the time of day.

She says to some extent he might be correct. And in some cases he might be fine with it, and actually encourage it.

She cautions that women who have relationships with men based on his being rich will likely lead a life of very poor quality.

"Money can only go so far in providing satisfaction. And the man who is sharing that money always expects something in return, even if he hasn't earned it."