It was an infamous on-stage klap, dubbed slaapgate, that had a record number of people googling ‘alopecia’ this year. This is the condition which allegedly led to producer and actress Jada Pinkett Smith deciding to rock a bald look that comedian Chris Rock joked about – resulting in her husband, Will, slapping him onstage at the 2022 Academy Awards. Here at home local actress Gail Mabalane and author Sizakele Mdluli-Chaplin have shared, based on their own personal experiences with alopecia, how suddenly going bald in parts of your scalp can be traumatic. For years, sufferers have struggled with it in silence, choosing either to cover their hair loss with wigs and scarves or choosing to be “sooo brave” and going for the big chop.

<p>It was an infamous on-stage klap, dubbed slaapgate, that had a record number of people googling ‘alopecia’ this year. This is the condition which allegedly led to producer and actress Jada Pinkett Smith deciding to rock a bald look that comedian Chris Rock joked about – resulting in her husband, Will, slapping him onstage at the 2022 Academy Awards. Here at home local actress Gail Mabalane and author Sizakele Mdluli-Chaplin have shared, based on their own personal experiences with alopecia, how suddenly going bald in parts of your scalp can be traumatic. For years, sufferers have struggled with it in silence, choosing either to cover their hair loss with wigs and scarves or choosing to be “sooo brave” and going for the big chop.</p>

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

<p>POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.</p>

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