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

• In 2020, Mpumi launched a bedding, loungewear and lingerie luxury brand called Lala La, which she runs with her 21-year-old daughter, Thando. Before they started the business, Mpumi was a stay-at-home mom. 

• The 41-year-old is also a fitness enthusiast and motivational speaker. You can check out her encouraging posts on her Instagram page @pumirm.

• Starring in The Ranakas isn’t Mpumi’s first time in the spotlight. She was a backing vocalist and toured the country with musicians like Brenda Fassie and Joe Nina in the 90s.

• Mpumi is always transparent with viewers. In Season 3 (2018), she discussed a sexual assault incident that she faced when she was 16. Throughout the reality show, Mpumi has been vocal about her strained marriage with now ex-husband Michael. She announced their separation in Season 3 and they divorced in 2019.

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.”

• Currently, Mpumi is a host on local online radio station WOMan Radio, and she also writes about motherhood, her globetrotting adventures and her divorce on her blog called Pumi’s Blog.

To see more of Mpumi and her family, tune into The Ranakas on Showmax, Seasons 1-4 are currently streaming.