TV and radio presenter drops EL club – but keeps the money

SA radio and TV presenter Dineo Ranaka, who was scheduled to DJ at a popular East London nightclub but cancelled her appearance two days before the event, is refusing to pay back the money.

This is according to OhBrigado! Champagne Bar owner Olwethu Hoyana and event organiser Luyolo Ziwele, who told the Dispatch of the “frustration” of “running after” Ranaka, who owes the organisers R18,203 for flights and accommodation booked before the event.

DispatchLIVE has proof of those transactions.

Ziwele said: “She was supposed to perform on September 28 as a guest DJ at OhBrigado! but cancelled on the Thursday before the event because she forgot she had to attend Somizi’s wedding on the day of the event. During the process of the booking I was communicating with her manager, who always answered the phone when I called. On the day of the cancellation Dineo contacted me herself and apologised for the cancellation. She said the money paid to book her performance would be reimbursed into my account by the end of that weekend. We are yet to receive the money.”

In messages seen by the Dispatch, Ziwele sent a WhatsApp message on Friday 27 September saying: “Morning Sisi. Hope you are good. Can I please get an update on the funds?”

Ranaka then responds with: “I’m told you want nothing to do with me. No problem at all. Your refund will be happily deposited over the course of the weekend.”

Ziwele told the Dispatch he’d urgently needed the funds so he could organise “plan B” for the event, which was going to take place the following day.

Multiple attempts to reach Ranaka on the phone and via text were unsuccessful by the time of going to print.

Her manager, who is identified only as Nyati, said he would get in touch with Ranaka to see “if she would comment or not” on the progress of the reimbursement and then hung up the phone.

In a WhatsApp message on September 30, Ziwele was told by Nyati: “She [Ranaka] will sort you out today, spoke with her yesterday.”

Hoyana said Ranaka’s behaviour was “appalling”.

“The arrogance of some national DJs towards promoters and establishments is appalling to say the least. Dineo’s attitude has been dismissive and rude – at best condescending.”