Manaka Ranaka Gets Emotional Speaking About Raising Her Late Daughter's 6-year-old son
- Manaka Ranaka appeared on the Relebogile Mabotja Podcast in October 2026, where she got visibly emotional talking about her late daughter
- The actress opened up about raising her grandson Mpho, who is about to turn six, after losing her daughter Katlego in January 2025
- Manaka described Katlego as one of the most gentle and talented people she had ever known, and revealed what she told her before she died
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Source: Instagram
More than a year after losing her daughter, Generations: The Legacy actress Manaka Ranaka is still carrying a grief that does not soften with time. During an emotional appearance on the Relebogile Mabotja Podcast, she broke down while speaking about her late daughter Katlego, known affectionately as KG, and what it means to now raise Katlego's son Mpho, who turns six in just days.
Seated across from host Relebogile Mabotja, Manaka was visibly tearful as she reflected on the kind of person her daughter was. Katlego passed away in hospital in January 2025, aged just 24, leaving behind a young son and a family still learning to carry the loss.
Manaka speaks on raising her grandson
Manaka described her daughter as someone with a rare softness that set her apart. "Katlego had this soft voice. One of the most gentle people," she said, pausing to compose herself. "I sometimes ask God, what did I deserve to get such a sweet child? You know what did I do?"
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She spoke about Katlego's non-judgemental nature, her warmth with friends, and the way she made everyone around her feel safe. Manaka also noted how fortunate her other children, Bongseni and Naledi, were to have had her as a sister.
"I wish I had a sister like KJ," she admitted, adding that she had told Katlego exactly that while she was still alive. "I spent many years wishing that I had an older brother to protect me in the streets. And she did an awesome job."
Mabotja gently reminded Manaka of the magnitude of what she had done, telling her, "You made a person. That made another person." The moment clearly moved Manaka deeply, who responded quietly, "I did."
Watch the emotional video below:
Mzansi rallies around Manaka
South Africans flooded the comments with messages of love and support. Below are some of the reactions:
@tshepisolethuloemabalane said: "❤️❤️❤️❤️more to love you Sis, raleboga Sis Rele…❤️❤️"
@yogal_snookie wrote: "Ohhhh Mama I love you."
@phindy_lu2li shared: "❤️❤️❤️🫂🫂🫂stay strong I know it's hard🫂❤️❤️"
@dlepuntsiki commented: "❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏 Manaka"
@portiamanaka said: "I love Manaka so much."
@angamso_sepamla added: "Oh, I loved KG; she was just a free spirit."
Manaka Ranaka on cutting ties with her family
In a previous report from Briefly News, Manaka Ranaka's revelations, in which she claimed to have cut ties with her family went viral.
Despite years of appearing as a solid unit on television, Manaka dropped a bombshell that hinted at fractured relationships.
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Source: Briefly News
