Dineo Ranaka - Early Life, Education, Career Beginnings & Achievements, Personal Life, Controversies, Songs and Films

Dineo Ranaka is a well-known South African television personality, radio DJ, reality TV star, MC, and successful businesswoman. She is widely recognized for her hosting roles on the music show "Club 808" on e.tv and "Noted" on SABC3. Her notable appearance on the SABC1 celebrity gossip show "The Real Goboza" also contributed to her fame. Additionally, she owns "Dineo’s Diary," one of the country’s long-standing reality shows.

Early Life

Dineo Ranaka-Pesha was born on December 16, 1983, in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. She was born in Diepkloof's Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Her mother is Nonceba Ranaka, and she is the sister of South African actress Manaka Ranaka. Dineo, whose name means "gifts," pursued her higher education at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

From a young age, Dineo aspired to become a prominent South African radio DJ and reality TV personality. She has also established herself as a successful businesswoman, MC, and television personality.

Career Beginnings 

Dineo Ranaka began her career at 5FM in 2003, co-presenting the "Fanta World Chart Show" with Brown Sugar. She later worked with YFM, Highveld Stereo (later 947), Metro FM, and Cliff Central. At YFM, she was the co-host and producer of the "Essential Rush" drive time show. After a hiatus, she joined Metro FM to host "The Bridge" and the "Metro FM Top 40." She is currently the main anchor for Kaya 959's breakfast show.

Ranaka gained significant local attention with "Dineo Live on Drive" on YFM, where she became the first female afternoon drive time jock at the station, hosting from 3 pm to 6 pm Monday through Friday. She also achieved on-screen success with ETV's "Club 808" and appeared in television series such as "Real Goboza," "Scandal," "Gaz'lam," "Yim'lo," "Dineo's Diary," "Gomora," "All Access Mzansi," and "Ishushu" on MoJa Love. Additionally, she starred as one of the main characters in the film "Baby Mamas."

Career Achievements

Dineo Ranaka's success on the Weekend Breakfast Show led to her being chosen to replace Vukani "Chilli M" Masinga on the weekday afternoon slot from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Under her leadership, the show's listenership grew from 600,000 to 750,000 within a year. Ranaka became YFM's first female afternoon drive time DJ with "Dineo Live on Drive," gaining recognition as the only female DJ in that time slot in the country. Her show attracted major clients like Love Life, Sanlam, Samsung, Motorola, Vodacom, Cadbury, and Levi's for their on-air campaigns.

In August 2010, Ranaka co-hosted "Club 808" on e.tv with Mo Flava, a show described by executive producer Zam Nkosi as fresh, contemporary, and fun. Ranaka was also a roaster at Comedy Central Africa's Roast of Kenny Kunene in April 2014 and appeared on the TV series "Hustle" in 2016.

In 2019, she ventured into house and hip-hop DJing and, in 2020, produced the drama series "Mzali Wami" through her production company, which aired on Mzansi Magic and Showmax. She also launched her cosmetic range, LuvDrBeauty, on December 16, 2020.

Ranaka's new podcast, "Dineo On Sex and Stuff," will air every Tuesday at 3 PM under the Podcast and Chill Network, as announced by MacG on the "Podcast and Chill with MacG" show. This opportunity followed her departure from Kaya FM.

Personal Life

Dineo Ranaka spent three days in Life Fourways Hospital in February 2011 due to a brain-related chronic illness caused by stress and hypertension. She was admitted on February 24 and discharged after two days of treatment. She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, brain shrinkage, and temporal lobe epilepsy. Although she was never in rehab, she was under treatment at the hospital. Dineo had been managing her hypothyroidism, which she was first diagnosed with in 2004, until a stress-related incident at the J&B Met exacerbated her condition. She has since become an advocate for mental health.

Dineo hails from a family that is in the spotlight. Her siblings include her older sister Manaka Ranaka, who is an actress known for her roles in various dramas. The second-born sibling is Mpumi Ranaka, who works as a writer and homemaker. Her younger sibling, Ranaka Ranaka, is a DJ and event organizer, while Ziggy Ranaka, the oldest son, is a successful entrepreneur. Their mother is Mama Siba Ranaka. 

Dineo is married to Klaas Phesha, with whom she had a private wedding in 2020. She was previously in a relationship with rapper Blaklez and has three children: Kgosi, Kopano, and an additional child.

Controversies

In September 2010, a confrontation erupted between singer Kelly Khumalo and Dineo Ranaka during rehearsals for the YFM and Chevrolet Divas party. Tensions flared when Khumalo arrived over two hours late and was reportedly unprepared, causing disruption. The situation escalated when Dineo questioned Khumalo about motherhood during an interview intended for Club 808. Dineo felt the interview lacked depth since Khumalo didn't have a new album. Despite the initial clash, the two have since reconciled and become friends.

In February 2011, Dineo had an on-air breakdown that led to her being taken off air. Her content producer, Bujy, and co-host, Linda Mbuso, filled in for her. During her afternoon drive show, Dineo began sobbing uncontrollably two hours before the end of the show. She later revealed to management that she was overwhelmed and could not continue. Reports indicated that she was upset after a disagreement with YFM marketing manager Tamaria Motsepe, who had allegedly barred her from attending the J&B Met in Cape Town. Motsepe confirmed that Dineo was facing a disciplinary hearing led by station manager Tumelo Diaho-Monaheng.

The weekend of the J&B Met saw further controversy when Dineo reportedly had an outburst on a bus, where she allegedly swore at Brenda Ngxoli and Palesa Mocuminyane. She was upset because Kenny Kunene had taken her friend and colleague Faith Mangope to Mzoli's Buy and Braai Butchery in Gugulethu. According to witnesses, Dineo reacted angrily, demanding to know why Kunene was with Mangope. A joking comment from Mocuminyane led Dineo to escalate her confrontation, during which she was reportedly crying and swearing. Dineo has since apologized for the incident.

Songs

2008 - Crazy Love

2022 - Ukhona

Films

Gazlam

Gomora

Scandal

Baby Mamas(2018)

Hustle, ETV ( 2016)

Dineo’s diary(2012)