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Seasoned radio presenter Dineo Ranaka shocked many people on Saturday morning when she revealed that she did not amicably part ways with her employer, Kaya FM. Instead, the former Metro FM presenter said she was fired amid a battle with depression.
This was after just a year of hosing the station’s breakfast show. Ranaka was responding to reports that the presenter and the station had peacefully parted ways.
Ranaka took to her Instagram account to reveal her shock.
She wrote:
Asked if she was told why she was let go, the presenter, who revealed that she was diagnosed with severe chronic depression, said she did not even bother reading her dismissal letter.
She added that she did not regret leaving Metro FM, and people should not feel sorry for her for being fired.
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo commented and advised Ranaka not to burn bridges.
He wrote:
Ranaka has been off air for over a month to deal with her mental health following a social media breakdown where she revealed that she was suicidal and anxious.
She was temporarily replaced by colleague, Sizwe Dhlomo who held things down with Ranaka’s former co-host, Solomzi “Sol” Phenduka.
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Just after that meltdown, Kaya FM released a statement stating that they supported Ranaka and wished her healing.
In a separate comment to City Press, Colleen Louw, Kaya FM MD, wrote: "We continue to support Dineo on her mental health journey and hope that in future she may be in a position to speak about possible opportunities with Kaya 959, should her health allow. We wish her all the best."
Ranaka reportedly checked herself out of a mental healthcare hospital in Pretoria after less than a week of being there. Shortly after that, the former Metro FM presenter flew to New York alongside MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho, Oscar Ndlovu, and Mthokozisi “DJ Tira” Khathi for work while she was on sick leave at Kaya FM.
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Mukwevho revealed on Podcast and Chill on Monday that Ranaka said she felt like she was being denied a chance of being free as a creative in mainstream media.
He also said that the presenter would be focusing on her podcast, OpenIDwithDineo which she launched in April.
Ranaka was not available for comment.
- If you or anyone you know is battling depression, or need to speak to someone, please call the South African Depression and Anxiety Group at the numbers below:
