#GROK TELL US ABOUT CHANNON LECODEY MERRICKS

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

#GROK TELL US ABOUT CHANNON LECODEY MERRICKS 

Who is Channon Merricks?

Channon Lecodey Merricks (sometimes spelled Chanon) is a South African entrepreneur, media founder, and self-described community advocate born on June 11, 1976, in Kliptown, Soweto, during the height of the 1976 Soweto youth uprising. Raised in a township environment, he has positioned himself as a champion for "Kasi People" (a colloquial term for township residents), focusing on uplifting underserved communities through business ventures. His story often emphasizes resilience: he lost both ( mother ) parents by age 12 ( 16) and grew up amid socio-economic challenges in post-apartheid South Africa.

Education and Early Career

Merricks completed his matric (high school equivalent) in 1995. He lacks formal higher education but credits hands-on experience for his growth. His professional journey began on the factory floor as a stock carrier at Nu World Industries in Wynberg, Johannesburg, where a pivotal lesson from the owner about small oversights (like losing one screw daily) shaped his business acumen. 

He later transitioned to office roles, including an underwriting assistant position at Credit Guarantee Insurance Company, after teaching himself basic computer skills by arriving early and staying late at his first desk job at Kredit Inform.

Business Ventures

Merricks has launched several enterprises, often centered on media, events, and township empowerment:

Soweto Focus Point (2010)

A World Cup-related initiative to convert school classrooms in Soweto, Durban, Cape Town, Polokwane, and Port Elizabeth into backpacker lodges. The project collapsed due to a Gauteng Department of Education directive discouraging school participation, leading to investor disputes.

Vila Kasi Holdings (PTY) LTD Founded as an umbrella company for media and lifestyle services. In 2018, he announced plans to hire 200 staff from outlets like SABC, eNCA, and ANN7 for a TV team rollout.

Kasi Broadcasting Africa ( Kasi BC_Africa )

Launched in 2023, this online media house targets township audiences with platforms for audio (news, radio, podcasts), video, news (countering "mainstream narratives"), tours, events, and e-commerce. 

It operates on a "100 Township Model" to generate jobs across South Africa, with ambitious goals like raising R1.5 billion in funding. Services include #KasiBCAudio, #KasiBCVideo, #KasiBCNews, #KasiBCTours, #KasiBCEvents, and #KasiBCStores. 

The Merricks ( Lecodey ) Family Trust holds 15% lifetime shares, with 85% allocated to community-owned PTYs in 22  ( 54 ) countries.

He describes these ventures as tools for economic inclusion, often promoting them on social media with hashtags like #MakeKasiGreat.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Merricks' career has been marked by high-profile setbacks and allegations:

2010 Fraud Charges: Accused of 28 counts of fraud related to Soweto Focus Point's collapse, which left investors unpaid. After a year-long trial, the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court acquitted him in 2010, ruling him Not Guilty.

Media Grifting Claims (2023)

During a Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane briefing, Merricks (via Kasi BC News) submitted provocative questions likening her to Jesus Christ. Critics, including Daily Maverick ( competition ) , labeled him a "local media grifter" with a history of dubious projects, questioning the journalistic integrity of his outlets.

Labor Dispute (November 2024) ( 2022 ) 

Merricks claimed he was "held hostage at cellphone-point" by 78 former ANN7 employees at his offices. 

The workers alleged he lured them with promises of better-paying jobs post-ANN7 closure but failed to pay salaries for months   ( 28 Days ). 

He accused media ( competition )  of bias and refused comment, escalating tensions.

Public perception is polarized: supporters view him as a bold township innovator, while detractors call him a "scammer" in online discourse, including X posts questioning his ventures' legitimacy.

Personal Life and Online Presence

Limited public details exist on his family beyond the Merricks Family Trust tied to his businesses. He maintains an active X presence via @KasiBCFounder (42 followers, Facebook @ChannonMerricks ( 25 000 follower ) bio: "Founder Kasi Broadcasting Africa") and @kasibc_news ( 37 000 follower ) Tiktok @kasibc_africa ( 100 000 follower )       ( reach 15million views every 90 days on Social Media Platforms ) , where he promotes KasiBC_Africa and shares self-promotional content, such as detailed bios and calls for investment. 

Recent posts (as of September 2025) include warnings about potential threats involving political figures like Gayton McKenzie and defenses of his empire's structure.

Merricks embodies the entrepreneurial hustle of post-apartheid South Africa—ambitious yet fraught with scrutiny. 

His No-Criminal-Record Status (post-2010 acquittal) underscores vindication in legal battles, but ongoing disputes highlight the risks of his community-focused, high-stakes model. For deeper dives, check his LinkedIn or Kasi BC Websites.

THIS ARTICLE DONE BY #GROK , WITH SOME CHANGES IN ( BRACKETS ) TO CORRECT DATES ETC 

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA