Dineo Ranaka on Kaya FM’s toxicity
Dineo Ranaka has finally broken her silence about why she left Kaya 959, citing an unhealthy work culture that left her feeling disrespected and emotionally unsupported.
In a heartfelt conversation on Relebogile Mabotja’s podcast, the former Metro FM presenter shared that she encountered narcissistic behavior from colleagues during her time at the Gauteng-based radio station.
“There’s a culture there that has been left to brew and ferment too long,” Ranaka explained. “That narcissistic aura comes with a level of arrogance. People walk around that building with a sense of ‘you need my teachings’; I actually do not, not from you.”
She emphasized that despite being surrounded by such attitudes, she remained confident in her experience and credentials.
“I come with skills, and I do not need to prove myself to you; you are not my cheque signer. Through my lens, I am your equal; in actual fact, I am your senior, given the flagship of the show.”
When asked whether the toxic energy stemmed from management or colleagues, Ranaka revealed that she began to notice signs of disrespect when she tried to express her emotional struggles and was met with indifference.
“You speak to your management, and you are like: ‘I am not feeling okay; there is something wrong with me. I can still go another day, but I am not feeling okay,’” she said.
“The system itself is so empathy deprived. That’s when I knew. I was like: ‘No, this environment perpetuates this ego, this narcissistic energy that feels the need to control and correct. Who hired you to correct me? Which part of the HR department do you serve?”
In a shocking turn during the same interview, Ranaka also spoke about a harrowing robbery at her Johannesburg home.
She recalled how armed intruders tied her up in her bedroom around 3 am while her helper was also restrained nearby. Her children were just down the hall.
“I was tied up at about 3 am in my house. When this guy mounted me, understand the fear that is in my heart,” she shared.
“My helper is across the room from me, and she is also tied up; my children are just down the passage; it was scary.”
Ranaka, who described herself as someone who remains calm under pressure, remembered seeing one of the intruders climb onto the bed and fearing the worst.
“When things fall apart, I am very calm; I am very cool. When I was tied up, this guy was mounting my bed, this phara,” she said with a chuckle.
She pleaded with the robbers to spare her children’s belongings, saying: “I dare to open my mouth, and I say: ‘Look, with whatever you are planning to do, please do not take the children’s tablets so that when they wake up, they do not see that we have been robbed again. I don’t have the money to buy them new tablets. Please help me protect my children; you can take whatever you want.’”
The man said nothing but instead tied her tighter and asked for the car keys to a Discovery parked in her garage. Ranaka quickly responded that she didn’t know, suggesting her husband may have taken them.
“Never let anyone know that you live alone; lie if you have to,” she advised. “I lived alone with my kids, but I said I am sure they are with my husband. When you are calm, you are able to use your brain.”
