It sure has been a rocky start to the year for Dineo Ranaka. Weeks after drawing ire from social media for her impassioned breakup speech, the broadcaster has been axed from MetroFM over her viral ‘Umlando challenge’ clip.
Is Dineo Ranaka suspended from MetroFM?
The rumour mill has been on overdrive with claims that the 38-year-old was recently relieved of her duties following her ‘outrageous’ behaviour at the SABC offices, where she works as a MetroFM radio host.
From what we understand, Ranaka has been placed on suspension after her ‘Umlando challenge’ submission went viral, reaching the eyes of the national broadcaster’s executives who were far from pleased with the DJ’s antics.
In the viral video clip, Ranaka dances along to the hit Amapiano song Umlando, albeit completely off-beat. To add a bit of flare to her challenge, which requires participants to shake their hips while transitioning between different locations, the 38-year-old is seen dancing on furniture and other areas of the SABC offices.
For her submission to the viral challenge, Ranaka pleased her core audience (she did get a lot of negative reaction as well). However, this reach for clout may have cost her a good-paying job.
Dineo Ranaka x #UmlandoChallenge pic.twitter.com/Nz09kkXJyQ
— Musa Khawula (@khawula_musa) January 14, 2022
SABC Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Marketing Gugu Ntuli confirmed the suspension to Swisher Post.
“The SABC can confirm that Dineo Ranaka is not scheduled on Metro FM at this stage and as a matter of principle the corporation does not discuss matters relating to its independent contractors in public,” Ntuli wrote.
Ranaka has not, as yet, made any public statements about the rumours.