Radio and TV personality Dineo Ranaka has never been one to tiptoe around controversy.
The "Podcast and Chill" regular, who is also a reality star and a mother of three, is pushing back against public judgement over her having children with multiple fathers.
The drama kicked off publicly in April 2022 when notorious YouTuber Slik Talk took a jab at Ranaka, calling her a “messy girl” and throwing shade over her parenting choices.
He ranted: “Three kids with three baby daddies? What man in his right mind would want to commit to such?"
Unbothered, Ranaka fired back in an earlier interview on "Podcast and Chill" with MacG, explaining that she’s not one to stay in relationships that no longer serve her.
“I don’t believe in hoarding human beings,” she said. “When your time has expired in my life, on to the next.”
Fast forward to her more recent appearance on the podcast, and Ranaka kept it one hundred (real) with her signature humour still in full force.
When asked why she has multiple baby daddies, she said, “I have so many baby daddies because I am very fertile - let’s start there.”
While many in Mzansi criticised her for her choices in men and particularly "baby daddies", Ranaka made it clear that she’s not interested in sticking around just for appearances. Her third child came from her short-lived marriage to Klaas Phesha which lasted seven months before it came to a dramatic end.
She later revealed allegations of abuse and infidelity that ultimately resulted in her decision to leave. Despite everything, each child is a blessing to Ranaka, rather than baggage.
“I am not going to slow down the plans I have for my life because things are not working out with one guy,” she said. “There are plenty of men in this world.”
Dineo Ranaka explains why she has multiple baby daddies.. pic.twitter.com/YL2x4Chqjk
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 6, 2025
She even compared her children to career milestones. “If I have an award from YFM for radio and my relationship with them does not work out, I am not going to go to Metro FM and not try to get an award.
"My children are the award I got from failed relationships. They make my life okay.”
In an honest moment during her appearance on the podcast, Ranaka called out the harsh judgment that many women face when it comes to motherhood and relationships.
“Society says your value has gone down, but guys, I have a line of men wanting to be with me. The value is up. The price has gone up,” she added.
While some might look at Ranaka’s relationship history and see “failures” or “mistakes,” she sees her children as the beautiful result of life’s journey, milestones that reflect personal growth, learning, and the richness of her experiences.
She likens her children to the accolades she has received from various radio stations, turning the narrative on its head and challenging the notion that she has somehow "lost" due to her unsuccessful relationships.