It's highly embarrassing for e.tv and for the show currently in its third season.
The broadcaster, at e.tv's Winter Upfront 2013 just last week announced to the press that Thando Thabethe is joining Club 808 as only a field presenter as the show moves from July to a new timeslot on Saturday evenings.
e.tv told TV critics last week that the 23 year old Thando Thabethe will be joining as a field presenter and that Dineo Ranaka and Mo Flava will continue as the co-hosts of Club 808.
Now, a week later, Dineo Ranaka is done, and e.tv is doing damage control.
With Dineo Ranaka's departure, e.tv is upping Thando Thabethe from the announced field reporter position to co-host with Mo Flava to fill the gap left by Dineo Ranaka.
e.tv tells me Dineo Ranaka "will be leaving the show on Friday 21 June". Sources tell me e.tv and Club 808 became aware of Dineo Ranaka's decision to leave the channel and the music magazine show about two weeks ago but that it wasn't confirmed until now.
SABC3 went through a similarly embarrassing mid-season talent disappearance when Michael Mol suddenly upped and left The Dr. Mol Show with Tswelopele Productions which replaced him with Riaad Moosa mid-season and instantly renamed the show Doctor's Orders.
Thando Thabethe will now "officially start to co-present alongside Mo Flava on 28 June after Dineo Ranaka's departure," I'm told.
Dineo's Diary, the second season of Dineo Ranaka's reality show is seen on Vuzu, another M-Net supplied channel to DStv, similar to Mzansi Magic.
"The appearance of Thando Thabethe on Club 808 will bring a different dynamic to the show; her highly energised and engaging personality fits in perfectly with the show's audience," says Monde Twala, e.tv channel head in a press statement.
"Her vitality and youthful spirit is in tune with a show that has captured the pulsating global lifestyle and music trends," says Monde Twala.
