Seen and Heard: GAIL MABALANE

After more than a decade in the entertainment industry, this leading lady is stepping out of her comfort zone

- Quaide Rumble

Gail Mabalane has come a long way since being a Top 10 finalist in the sixth season of Idols SA and performing with local gospel group Joyous Celebration. Gail’s passion for storytelling and connecting with audiences led her to successfully transition from music to the screen. She’s also been the face of Oil of Olay and hair colour brand Inecto Plus, and now she’s the founder of her own vitamin-enriched haircare range, Ethnogenics.

HONING HER CRAFT

As an actor, Gail is known for her versatility and captivating performances. Her breakthrough came when she landed a role in local M-Net soapie The Wild. She went on to join Generations: The Legacy, before landing a main role the award-winning telenovela drama The Road. Gail’s magnetic presence shone through, earning her critical acclaim.

“Acting allows me to step into someone else’s shoes and explore different aspects of the human experience,” she explains. “It’s a transformative and deeply fulfilling process.”

In 2020, she took on the harrowing role of a mother searching for her abducted daughter in Netflix’s Blood & Water. “As an actress, I want to portray characters that challenge and inspire me. I believe in the power of storytelling and the ability to bring people together through shared experiences.”