From Toilets to TB: The Activist Journey of Candice Andisiwe Sehoma
A Young Advocate Fighting for Access to Essential Medicines
Candice Andisiwe Sehoma's journey from the streets of Alexandra to becoming a key figure in the fight for affordable medicines is one of resilience, determination, and deep personal conviction. Growing up in a community marked by inadequate healthcare and poor sanitation, Sehoma learned early on about the disparities that define South Africa’s health landscape.
Her childhood was shaped by the challenges of living in a single-room home on what she still calls "London Road." She witnessed firsthand the impact of limited access to quality healthcare, which would later become the driving force behind her career. The loss of her younger sibling due to preventable health issues left a lasting impression on her, fueling her desire to make a difference.
Sehoma’s early efforts to improve her community began with a simple yet impactful idea: building flushing toilets. Inspired by a visit to her grandmother in the Eastern Cape, she recognized the need for better sanitation in her neighborhood. With support from residents and local experts, she organized a community effort to construct two flushing toilets in 2012. This project not only improved hygiene but also instilled a sense of ownership and pride among the residents.
This success led to the formation of Building Blocks, an organization she co-founded with friends to replicate this model in other communities. Over time, the group built 22 flushing toilets, helping to address one of the most basic yet critical aspects of public health.
From Toilets to Global Health Advocacy
After matriculating, Sehoma pursued higher education in psychology and development studies while continuing her work with Building Blocks. Her experiences in community organizing and grassroots activism laid the foundation for her future role in global health advocacy.
In 2017, she joined Doctors Without Borders (MSF), where she has since focused on ensuring access to essential medicines for people living with infectious and non-communicable diseases. Her work at MSF Access, a unit dedicated to addressing medicine affordability and availability, has brought her into the heart of some of the most pressing health equity issues.
One of her most significant contributions came in the fight over bedaquiline, a drug used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). When pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson attempted to extend its patent on the drug through secondary patents, Sehoma took action. She partnered with TB survivor and advocate Phumeza Tisile to challenge the patent in India, leading to a successful outcome that allowed generic production once the primary patent expired. As a result, J&Johnson reduced the price of the drug by more than half in many countries, including South Africa.
The Fight for Affordable Diabetes Medicines
Today, Sehoma serves as a regional adviser for MSF Access, focusing on Southern and East Africa. Her current work centers on diabetes, a growing public health concern in South Africa and beyond. She highlights the irony that while the HIV/AIDS movement once mobilized large-scale protests for affordable antiretroviral drugs, the same urgency is not always applied to chronic conditions like diabetes.
In November 2024, Sehoma led a protest outside Novo Nordisk’s Johannesburg office, demanding action after the company discontinued the production of insulin pens. This decision had a direct impact on patients who rely on these devices for daily management of their condition. The shortage exposed gaps in the health system and raised questions about the profit-driven priorities of pharmaceutical companies.
Sehoma emphasized the importance of collaboration between activists, governments, and international organizations. While past conflicts between groups like the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and MSF were common, today there is greater alignment in the shared goal of improving access to lifesaving medicines.
A Legacy of Community Empowerment
Despite her global influence, Sehoma remains deeply connected to her roots in Alexandra. During our meeting at River Park Cafe, she reflected on the progress made in her community, including the four flush toilets built in 2013. Even though the surrounding area still faces challenges, the toilets stood as a testament to the power of collective action.
Her story is a reminder that change begins at the grassroots level. Whether it’s building toilets or fighting for affordable medicines, Sehoma’s work underscores the belief that healthcare should not be a luxury, but a fundamental right.