
Getting to know The Ranakas' level-headed sister, Mpumi Ranaka
There’s always tension brewing in local family reality show The Ranakas, and middle sibling Nompumelelo Ranaka, better known as Mpumi, would rather stay out of the drama ...
From family gatherings that end with emotional outbursts, to sibling rivalries and even heartwarming moments that solidify bonds, viewers get an intimate look into the Ranaka family’s lives. They lift the veil on the good, bad, and the ugly.
The parents, Ntate Kgotlaesele and Siba, are always trying to teach their kids valuable lessons: there’s actress and eldest sister Manaka; entrepreneur and laid-back sister Mpumi; outspoken middle brother Mzi; media personality and arguably the most famous sister Dineo; and the baby of the family Ranaka – he’s always landing in hot water and giving his parents grey hairs.
Since the first season, we’ve watched the siblings go through their fair share of ups and downs, especially Mpumi. Viewers saw her go through a messy divorce which has since led her to her healing journey. “We’re a family who wears their hearts on their sleeves,” says Mpumi, adding “Our father taught us to be strong-willed and never bow down to anyone’s intimidation and we always stick together. Everyone in the family has a big personality and over the years, we’ve learned to be a unit.”
Here are 6 things you should know about Mpumi Ranaka
The couple met in Abu Dhabi in 2005, where Mpumi worked as a cabin manager at an airline company, and six months later they tied the knot. “We both came into the marriage [with emotional damage],” says Mpumi during her heartfelt conversation with her father, Kgotlaesele, in Season 3. She added: “[Michael] had his past divorce, I had my issues and I think that we were finding... not love – it was definitely not love – but solace in [our] turmoil.” Despite the heartbreak, Mpumi is hopeful that she’ll find her happily ever after in the future. “One day, I’ll walk down the aisle and it will be my first marriage where I have made a conscious decision [to get married] and [I won’t be getting married] as a defence mode. It will just be Nompumelelo finding love.”
To see more of Mpumi and her family, tune into The Ranakas on Showmax, Seasons 1-4 are currently streaming.
More like this

Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more
Christall Kay shares what to expect on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, landing 28 November on Showmax and 6 December on Mzansi Magic.

Alert: Missing Persons Unit S3
Showrunner John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx are behind this police procedural. After her son goes missing, Nikki Batista joins the Philadelphia Missing Persons Unit, helping find people's loved ones as she searches for her own.

New seasons of your favourite series, now streaming
The latest seasons of Youngins, Outlaws, Hacks, The Equalizer, Tokyo Vice, and more are all streaming on Showmax.

The best romantic series on Showmax
All you need is love — and these addictive series: Northern Lights, Love Island: All Stars, Love Island Games, Outlaws S2 and more.

IT: Welcome to Derry
Set in the 1960s in the town of Derry, this horror series explores its strange happenings, disappearances, and the origins of Pennywise the Clown.

Kevin Maina speaks on playing Ritchie on Single Kiasi S4
Kevin Maina talks about his role as Ritchie in Single Kiasi Season 4, now streaming, with new episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.

St Denis Medical S1
"The Office" meets "Scrubs" in this wacky medical comedy that follows an eclectic group of underfunded yet dedicated doctors and nurses trying to hold an Oregon hospital together.

17 medical dramas to stream in an entertainment emergency
From St. Denis Medical to New Amsterdam to House, these compelling medical shows are all streaming on Showmax.
Single Kiasi S4, now streaming
Reckless S1, now streaming
Latest Stories

From Poverty to Purpose: The Redemption of Emmanuel Adebayor: Why Saving Lives Trumps Scoring Goals

Manchester City vs Liverpool: The Rivalry Reignites

What to watch on Showmax in Kenya in November 2025

Annie Mthembu opens up about The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

Can LFC rediscover the form that saw them crowned champions?

Conor Bradley on Liverpool's difficult run and the path back

Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

Creating The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red
Godfrey Odhiambo on Reckless, his career, and the evolution of Kenyan film

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Minne Kariuki on Single Kiasi, motherhood and being a “gold digger”

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Carey Priscilla dishes on The Mommy Club NBO drama

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window







