EMOTIONAL DINEO RANAKA UN-CHILLED WITH ‘FILTHY’ PODCAST HOSTS AFTER ‘DISTATEFUL’ COMMENTS!
By AKASIA EXPRESS NEWS REPORTER
Radio personality and broadcaster Dineo Ranaka has launched a fierce attack on Podcast and Chill with MacG hosts MacGyver “MacG” Mukwevho and Sol Phenduka, as well as the podcast’s mysterious Ghost Lady, following controversial remarks made about murdered runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo.
Ranaka took to social media on Friday, 18 September, posting an emotional video in which she strongly condemned the podcast over comments made during an episode recorded while Moselakgomo was still missing.
Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old mother from Kempton Park, disappeared while out running. Her body was later discovered, with her death adding to growing national concern about violence against women and the circumstances surrounding a number of women whose bodies have recently been found in and around Ekurhuleni.
The controversy centres on comments made during an episode of Podcast and Chill. MacG warned women in the studio about going to Kempton Park amid reports that a suspected serial killer could be operating in the area.
The discussion then turned to Moselakgomo’s disappearance and the fact that she had been running when she disappeared.
Phenduka responded with a joke about someone in the bush seeing the numbers on the runner’s race bib and taking her.
The comments were made before Moselakgomo’s body had been found and before her family and the public knew the circumstances of her death. However, once news emerged that her body had been discovered, the clip attracted widespread criticism on social media.
SOL PHENDUKA APOLOGISES!
In his apology, Phenduka said the episode had been recorded on Sunday, when Moselakgomo was still officially missing. He described his remarks as an “unfortunate pun” and acknowledged that making a joke about a missing person was distasteful, particularly against the backdrop of femicide in South Africa.
But Ranaka was not satisfied. In her video, she questioned how an apology could undo what had happened to Moselakgomo or bring her back. She also criticised what she described as the treatment of serious issues involving violence, rape and death as entertainment.
Ranaka directed particularly strong words at MacG and Phenduka, referring to them as “filth” and “bottom of the barrel” while questioning their conduct as fathers.
She also took aim at Ghost Lady, a long-standing anonymous figure associated with Podcast and Chill, questioning the role of a faceless contributor in the programme and the wider culture surrounding the podcast.
However, there is an important distinction in the controversy: reporting on the episode indicates that Ghost Lady was not present when the particular episode containing the controversial Moselakgomo comments was recorded. This point has also been raised by social-media users questioning Ranaka’s criticism of her.
The dispute has therefore expanded beyond the original comments and into a broader debate about responsibility, humour and the boundaries of entertainment programming when real-life tragedies are involved.
APOLOGY CANNOT REVERSE CONSEQUENCES!
Ranaka’s central argument was that an apology cannot reverse the consequences of a violent death.
She questioned the value of an apology when the victim’s family is still dealing with the loss of their loved one.
Her comments come at a time when South Africa is once again grappling with widespread public concern over gender-based violence and the safety of women.
The controversy has also placed renewed attention on Podcast and Chill’s long-standing approach of combining comedy, provocative commentary and discussions of sensitive subjects.
The programme has previously faced criticism over controversial comments and the manner in which MacG and his co-hosts approach difficult subjects.
MacG, Phenduka and Ghost Lady have been associated with the podcast since its rise as one of South Africa’s most prominent podcast platforms. The show has built its identity around uncensored conversations, humour and often provocative commentary.
HISTORY BETWEEN RANAKA AND CHILL PODCAST!
Ranaka’s latest confrontation is notable because she is not a stranger to Podcast and Chill.
She previously appeared on the programme, where she discussed deeply personal aspects of her life and career with MacG, Phenduka and Ghost Lady.
Ranaka and Phenduka also worked together at Kaya 959 after the station recruited Phenduka from Podcast and Chill. Their time together on the breakfast show generated significant public discussion, with some listeners complaining that Ranaka frequently interrupted or overpowered her co-host. Those reports, however, date back to 2022 and are separate from the current dispute.
The latest confrontation is therefore being watched closely because of the history between the personalities.
At the centre of the controversy is a difficult question facing South African broadcasters, podcasters and content creators: where should the line be drawn between humour, commentary and respect for victims and their families?
The Podcast and Chill episode was recorded before Moselakgomo’s death was publicly confirmed, which is a significant part of the context surrounding Phenduka’s apology.
At the same time, Ranaka’s criticism reflects the anger surrounding the wider circumstances in which Moselakgomo died and the growing sensitivity around jokes involving missing women and gender-based violence.
For now, Phenduka has apologised, while Ranaka’s video has reignited the debate over the podcast’s style, accountability and the responsibilities that come with having a large public platform.
The controversy is likely to continue as social-media users debate whether the apology should close the matter or whether the incident raises deeper questions about how South African entertainment platforms discuss violence against women.