Drum – 15 August 2019

m.co.za 15 AUGUST (^2019) | 13
Alopecia w
the diagno
Simply put
a very comm
cause of alopec
hair loss inb
women.”
She’d alwayshadsymptoms,shesays,
but “it wasnothingmajorformeto
worry about”.
At first Gail tried self-medicating but
eventually sought help for the problem.
It was tough to reveal her diagnosis to
the world but she was determined to
raise awareness about the condition.
“I knew I had to use it as a platform to
empower and educate because I know a
lot of women who’ve been struggling
with hair loss.
“Usually we shy away from it, we cover
it up and we hide it because we’re scared
and embarrassed about it.
“I just thought it was important for
someone to speak up and call it what it
is. The moment you’re able to put a
diagnosis or a name to it, people feel a
little more comfortable about seeking
help as opposed to them being scared
because they don’t know what’s hap-
pening to them.”
Her diagnosis has led her to redefine
what beauty is, she tells us.
“It’s important for me to embrace
whatever phase I’m going through, and
it’s taught me not to find my identity in
the way I look, but in how I feel about
myself on the inside.
“It’s also taught me to teach my
daughter, who has beautiful natural hair,
to understand that, yes, your hair is
beautiful, but it doesn’t define you. You
can find your identity in something
bigger than that,” she says.
There have been plenty of life-changing
events over the past few years for the girl
from Kimberley in the Northern Cape.
In 2006 her brother, Craig Nkoane, died
when he was electrocuted at work.
Six months later the family suffered
another devastating blow when mom
Julie died of complications from the
autoimmune disease lupus, leaving
behind husband Venus and daughters
Gail and Denise.
GailwhensheauditionedforIdolsSA
andmadeit allthewaythroughtothe
top 10 ofthetalentshow.
When she was voted off, she decided
to move to Joburg where she later met
Kabelo.
Gail tried her hand at acting and soon
bagged a part in drama series The Wild.
“I knew I wanted to be part of the in-
dus try but I wasn’t really clear on how,”
she says.
“When I entered Idols and acting came
from that, for me it was really an oppor-
tunity to see how it goes.
“I got the role in The Wild with no
experience, so I took the opportunity to
get an understanding of how the industry
works. I grew from that role and deve-
loped a love for acting.”
She chuckles when we ask if she’ll
pursue a career in music one day.
“I decided a long time ago to just treat
one rabbit at a time. Since breaking into
the industry I’ve spent so much time
focusedonacting.
’vegrowninthatdepartment and
music in the past. May be when
right time presents itself I’ll try
sic.
Fornow I’m really enjoying acting.
something I wish to continue
lding on.”
When she’s not working, Gail
joysspending quality time with
r family.
Now that she’s flying between
ies,the actress says she’s come to
preciate the little things.
e ofthe things I’ve learnt is to value
thequality of time as opposed to the
quantity.
“When I am home I try my best to
always be present and as involved as
I can be because sometimes you can be
there physically without really being
present.
“I’m more intentional with the time
I have with my family. It’s the little things,
like putting the phone away, building
a puzzle and sitting down for a coffee
with my daughter or going to watch a
movie with my husband.”
She lives for her family, but now that
Zoe and Khumo are growing up, Gail
wants to spend more time honing her
craft.
“There’s a saying that sticks with me:
consistency is always better than speed.
“It doesn’t always matter how quick
you get to your destination as long
as you’re consistent in your pursuit to-
wards it.
“Just stay consistentbecause even-
tuallyyou’llgetthere.”
Gail and her husband, Kabelo (ABOVE),
dote on their pigeon pair (RIGHT), Zoe and
Khumo. Kabelo knowing the entertainment
industry helps them to cope with her
filming in a different city, she says.
‘I’mmoreintentional
withthetimeI have
FROM LEFT:Blo
& Water directo
Nosipho Dumisa
chats to Getmor
Sithole, Gailand
Ama Qamata.
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MPHO NDOU, SUPPLIED, INSTAGRAM/GAIL_MABALANE

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