For Sanelisiwe Diko, becoming a pharmacist was never just about understanding medicine. It was about ensuring people understand their health, know where to find help and feel empowered to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
The Miss South Africa 2026 Top 19 finalist's passion for healthcare is rooted in personal experience, particularly watching her grandmother live with a chronic condition and recognising the importance of making medical information accessible to patients.
Through her journey, Diko has come to understand that access to medication is only one part of healthcare. Patients also need to understand their conditions, know how to manage them and feel supported throughout their healthcare journey.
“My journey began with my grandmother, but it has grown into a commitment to the communities I serve today,” she said.
From personal experience to a career in pharmacy
Diko pursued a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree at Rhodes University, driven by a desire to help people better understand their health and navigate a healthcare system that can often feel overwhelming.
Her exposure to the challenges people face when seeking medical assistance, particularly within the public healthcare system, further strengthened her resolve to make a difference.
As she progressed through her studies and became a pharmacist, she realised her role could extend beyond dispensing medication.
For Diko, healthcare professionals also have a responsibility to educate and empower patients, particularly those who may not have access to reliable information or adequate support.
Her approach is centred on making health information easier to understand so that people can take an active role in decisions affecting their wellbeing.
Taking healthcare beyond hospital walls
Diko's commitment to community healthcare has seen her contribute to outreach initiatives, including the Phelophepa Train and the Isibhedlele Kubantu campaign.
These experiences exposed her to the demand for accessible and affordable healthcare services, while highlighting how a lack of information can prevent people from accessing assistance that is already available.
One experience that stood out was sharing information about the Phelophepa Train's services on her social media platforms. She was surprised by how many people were unaware of the affordable healthcare available to them.
“Sometimes the barrier is not necessarily the absence of a service but the lack of information about it,” she explained.
The experience reinforced her belief that healthcare education needs to extend beyond medical facilities and reach people in the communities where they live.
It also reminded her that behind every patient is a person with a story, a family and circumstances that can influence their ability to access care.
Helping young people separate health facts from social media fiction
With social media increasingly becoming a go-to source of information, Diko is particularly concerned about the impact of health misinformation on young South Africans.
While she recognises the potential of digital platforms to educate and connect people, she believes young people need to be more discerning about the health advice they encounter online.
Information shared without scientific evidence or proper context can leave people confused and influence decisions about their health.
As a pharmacist, Diko wants to encourage young people to question what they see online, verify information and consult qualified healthcare professionals when they need guidance.
She also hopes to change how young people view healthcare workers, encouraging them to see them as trusted partners in maintaining their health rather than people they only visit when they are sick.
Through her advocacy, she wants to make health information more accessible, relatable and easier to understand.
Tackling the barriers that keep people from seeking help
For Diko, there is no single obstacle preventing people from accessing healthcare.
Financial constraints, limited access to facilities, stigma and misinformation can all contribute to delays in seeking medical assistance, often reinforcing one another.
Someone may understand the importance of treatment but struggle to afford transport to a healthcare facility. Another person may have access to services but delay seeking help because they fear being judged.
Diko believes addressing these challenges requires a more community-focused approach to healthcare.
She would like to see stronger community-based health education, more accessible and affordable services, and safe spaces where people can ask questions without fear of judgement.
Building trust between healthcare professionals and communities is equally important, she says, so that people feel informed and supported enough to seek assistance early.
Building an initiative beyond Miss South Africa
While the Miss South Africa platform offers an opportunity to amplify her message, Diko is looking beyond the competition.
Through the Empower Youth Africa framework, she hopes to develop a sustainable healthcare advocacy initiative that continues to benefit communities long after her Miss South Africa journey.
Her plans include working with other healthcare professionals to answer common health questions, connecting people to available services and conducting health education talks in communities.
She particularly wants to create opportunities for young people and underserved communities to access reliable information, understand their healthcare options and make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
Partnerships with healthcare professionals, community organisations and local healthcare facilities will be central to ensuring the initiative reaches those who need it most.
For Diko, the goal is not simply to raise awareness, but to create practical opportunities for people to engage with healthcare and find the support they need.
“I want to build a model that can continue to benefit communities beyond my Miss South Africa journey, because access to health education and care should not end when the spotlight fades,” she said.
Ultimately, Diko hopes to contribute to a future where access to healthcare is not determined by where someone lives or their financial circumstances.
Her Miss South Africa journey provides another platform for that ambition, but her mission remains rooted in the work she believes needs to happen every day: helping people understand their health, access available services and feel empowered to seek the care they deserve.
The Miss South Africa 2026 finale will take place on Saturday, 14 November 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.