Dineo Ranaka is back on radio after years of hiatus
Dineo Ranaka is making her way back to Metro FM, two years after departing for a short-lived run at Kaya 959.
She will take over The Saturday Top 30 show, marking her return to the station where she had previously built a strong presence.
Metro FM’s programming for the 2025/26 season remains largely unchanged, though there are a few shifts.
Siyabulela “Supta” Sithole, formerly with Y for 11 years, is joining the station as the new host of Midnight with a Smile, airing weekdays from 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
On the other hand, longtime traffic reporter Rob Byrne is exiting after 13 years, along with Nthabeleng “Mat Elle” Matela and Khanya “DJ Kayeezi” Siyengo.
Ranaka’s decision to leave Metro FM in 2022 was influenced by an offer from Kaya 959.
“I actually received an offer from Kaya 959 to do their breakfast show slot.
I then showed them [Metro FM] the offer. They could not match the offer at the time, and I ended up taking the offer with Kaya,” she explained.
“I only took the offer because I knew breakfast was one of the things I wanted to do in my future. I want to put it straight that I was never fired from Metro FM, and there is no animosity. I’m glad to be coming back—I feel like I’m back home.”
Although returning to Metro FM, she is not reclaiming her former midmorning slot, which remains under the stewardship of Khutso Theledi.
She also made it clear that she has no interest in reviving her #AskAMan segment.
“I have no desire to play Sis Dolly again and help people with their love or life issues. I believe a weekend show will do me good as I will get to introduce radio back into my life in dribs and drabs,” she said.
For Ranaka, this new opportunity feels like a divine intervention.
“Yes, I do believe I have been brought back to my purpose, especially when I thought I closed the door at Kaya 959 three years ago,” she reflected.
“God paved this path for me. Yes, it does feel like a full circle, even though I’ve had many. I love the Top 30, I’ve done it before—I love the energy music gives me. I am glad the people from Metro are entrusting me with one of the flagship weekend shows.”
Having openly discussed her struggles with mental health, she shared that she is now in a much better space.
“Dineo is very relaxed now. She’s got a fragile nervous system, and life has, to a degree, dealt difficult cards for her, but she stayed resilient and conquered,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, she credited her faith for helping her overcome personal battles.
“Human beings were created to take a break—between then and now, God has done so much work, and he has delivered me from anger. I went back to God and said, ‘Please teach me how to get better,’ and he delivered me from mental health and financial problems, depression, and issues I couldn’t handle. So I’m happy to say, things are balanced now.”
