Chilling with Dineo Ranaka

HOW ARE YOU?

I'm well thanks, a bit tired but soldiering on *smiling*

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Johannesburg, born ko Soweto Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, raised in Soweto, Johannesburg (CBD) and the East Rand

HAS ENTERTAINMENT ALWAYS BEEN YOUR PLANNED CAREER?

Nah, *smiling* I wanted to be an Archaeologist actually but hey, we make plans and God laughs

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RADIO?

you really wanna know? I was a call centre agent at the time (amongst other things), about to sign an inbound call centre contract with Standard bank.

The opportunities in my life have present themselves in the most unbelievable ways. At the time, I was really moneyless, like down to less than 100 bucks. I spent 20 bucks on the bus from Ghandi Square to Auckland park, I had never been there before, I asked the bus driver to show me the SABC and I found my way to Henley TV Park, now without an appointment or access card, there's no way you getting into that place cause security is tight up in that place. So I chilled at reception and watched TV. My phone rang and like any normal person would do I picked up and engaged. When I put the phone down, a group of young guys who were listening in on my convo and were attracted to how I spoke and asked me to represent them on an interview they had on Ikwekwezi Fm with FBK. I saw that as my ticket into the building so I agreed. Once we were in, after I kept my side of the deal with the guys, I took a walk around the SABC building and found myself at a place with the Metro FM studio on my left and the 5FM studio on my right. A gentleman walked out of the 5fm studio as I stood there wondering "how do I get in there?" It was almost as though God was playing a game of chess and we were the chess pieces he was moving around the earth board. I immediately introduced myself to him, asked about radio demo requirements and blah blah blah. Shame he was kind enough to patiently educate me and compliment me on my voice *smiling* he then sent me off with his number to use only when I had recorded my demo (they can get strict these angels), I quickly went back to FBK with this world of information, he in turn encouraged me to record a demo that he helped me with, it was 5mins short and punchy as heck. Once done, I handed my demo in, Nick Grub (then programming manager) liked it, called me a diamond in the rough and called me in to be trained by Barney Simon, alongside Kamza and Sureshnie Naicker. And the rest as they so boringly say... Is history

WAS IT EASY ADJUSTING TO TELEVISION?

OH LAWD NOT AT ALL!!! Unbelievable as it may be I have shy tendencies that I have to fling out the window every now and again. And to add to that I don't think so highly of myself physically and I feel like the camera lens zooms into my all the things I don't like about myself. And knowing how horribly critical we can be as humans, I had to get over all those silly insecurities and then let my talent shine through. True Story

AND NOW ACTING?

Yes sir, I love it. Absolutely respect that craft.

 

SO... RADIO OR TELEVISION?

Television is my first love, not just being on screen but the art and creativity that goes into producing good television. I've just pitched one of my own pilots that I shot with Molotov Cocktail and I'm producing 2 more.

I'm in love with television I could do television all day every day. Its an amazing process

TELL US ABOUT MUSIC and ME?

Many people make the assumption (I assume it's based on my character on

radio) that I'm a rowdy someone who loves to really really really party, matter of fact i love to chill hey, and I think I represent a size-able portion of people that love to chill too. I'm a home body. I love to cook a good meal and interactively entertain, and that's exactly what Music and me is. It's my fantasy of how an ideal Sunday afternoon should be spent. With brilliant South African music, good food, soul food, beautiful people, mature people, a pleasant venue, an entertaining host and a good blessed energy. I also am one who absolutely enjoys live music. Music and Me was conceptualised with our musicians in mind. A place for them to share with us their talents and do what they love, perform live. Music and Me is intended to be a lifestyle experience. Unique in how its hosted. Every first Sunday of the month launching on the first Sunday of August at Cafe Culture in Fourways at the Pineslopes Shopping Centre. Every month we unearth new talent and give a platform for a talent thats bubbling under to explode.

Music and Me; my music, my lifestyle. From my heart to yours  

WHAT DOES OUR LOCAL MUSIC INDUSTRY REQUIRE?

For us to support it. believe in it. buy into it and its people. Respect it.

Take pride in it. Finance it.

ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO THINK YOUR WORK IS EASY?

FIGHT!!!

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER?

What's more important is that I follow you on the street *smiling* I've been following both your street prints and tweet prints

SEE YOU ON SUNDAY

One LUV, Dr