‘They are still going to throw heavy insults at me’: Dineo Ranaka responds to backlash over Nandi Madida’s remarks

2026-02-02 - 15:26

Media personality Dineo Ranaka has responded to criticism following her comments on a viral video by Nandi Madida. Madida recently appeared on L-Tido’s podcast, where she spoke about the social and economic challenges faced by black men. “Our black men have gone through so much, and financially, it’s almost impossible to try [to] empower yourself. Even when you try, the system is against you. “People don’t have support from the government. Your 400 years of being oppressed, where is this money going to come from?” Madida said. Nandi Madida speaks about the challenges black SA men faces and how social media intensifies the pressures by fueling unrealistic expectations of wealth and success. pic.twitter.com/u1Bq8IARhK — The Hype Channel (@TheHypeChannel_) January 29, 2026 ALSO READ: ‘It’s time I shared my full capabilities’: Dineo Ranaka to launch a new talk show Ranaka challenges Madida’s views Taking to Instagram, Ranaka said she disagreed with Madida’s point of view. “No, I’m really disturbed by what Nandi said. How she said it and to whom she was saying it. And the climate in which we live, and how what she said will be understood and misconstrued by the very men she’s campaigning empathy for,” Ranaka wrote. She said she struggled to relate to Madida’s argument based on her own observations, rather than personal experiences. “Now I’m not saying be without empathy. But I’m saying don’t be careless with it. We can’t just willy-nilly feel sorry and not hold accountable,” she said. Ranaka added that she believed empathy for black men should be balanced with responsibility. “Slow down on throwing a pity party for black men who aren’t fighting for the economic emancipation of the black nation at the same level of the empathy required,” she said. “Over 30 years, we’ve given empathy to our black leaders in governance. Over 30 years of empathy and hope. And what are the results? The Madlanga Commission. High violent crimes. Unstable economy. High taxes,” she added. Mixed reactions on social media Ranaka’s comments drew mixed reactions on social media. “Not angry, she is hurt. And hurt people don’t argue ideas, they argue emotions,” one user wrote on X. Dineo Ranaka Is Not Angry, She Is Hurt. And Hurt People Don’t Argue Ideas, They Argue Emotions. Everything About This Reaction Screams Personal. The Tone. The Defensiveness. The Over-Explaining. This Was Never Just About “The System”. This Was About Feeling Triggered By Nandi... pic.twitter.com/iNlcWcCzay — Ms. Mofokeng (@amahle___) February 2, 2026 I love Dineo Ranaka but i have to disagree with her when it comes to what Nandi said. Especially this part where she brings in Winnie Mandela. pic.twitter.com/1Cy5FTXqCk — Tholiso N Lebelo (@TholisoN) February 1, 2026 Dineo Ranaka’s take is the exact same one-sided oversimplification l called out earlier. Nandi’s grace message comes from a place of stability, married to a good man who shows up,provides love, care and protection consistently. Easy to preach empathy and understanding for Black... pic.twitter.com/viRS0LEu5i — Mihlali (@Amahashi_) February 1, 2026 In a later post, Ranaka said she stood by her views despite the backlash. “They are still going to throw heavy insults at me for my contemplation on Nandi’s statement. It’s alright,” she wrote. “Before a ‘system’ affects an individual, it impacts a people. My example stands.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dineo Ranaka (@dineoranaka) NOW READ: Trump threatens to sue Trevor Noah over Grammys Epstein joke, netizens respond