Kaya FM 959 has pulled sultry radio presenter Azania Mosaka out of her winter hibernation to beef up the station’s female on air talent after the dismissal of Dineo Ranaka.
Sunday World can exclusively reveal that Azania Mosaka will join Kaya FM as the station’s new Afternoon Drive show host from next month, replacing Sizwe Dhlomo.
Dhlomo has moved to the breakfast slot, which was co-hosted by Ranaka and Sol Phenduka.
News that Mosaka will be joining the Gauteng-based commercial radio station came to the fore after the station announced a fortnight ago that it had fired Ranaka after she took French leave.
In a memo circulated to staff members last week, the acting managing director Collen Louw said they fired Ranaka after going Awol after they facilitated her admission to a mental institution.
Relating the station’s frustration, Louw said the former Metro FM and YFM presenter did not take her employer into confidence about her medical challenges, but instead took to social media to announced that she was harbouring suicidal thoughts.
He said Ranaka has been off air since May 22 when she did not appear for her show, and the station was subsequently alerted to her public outcry on social media where she stated she was depressed and was harbouring suicidal thoughts.
Louw said in an effort to support Dineo Ranaka during her difficult period, the station made contact with a mental health organisation for guidance, which among other measures facilitated the media personality’s admission to a wellness facility for a week.
Afterwards, added Louw, the radio station repeatedly tried in vain to reach out to Dineo Ranaka in a bid to find out if she was convalescing from her illness.
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