Young Tanzanians urged to nurture internal confidence

DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Tanzanians have been urged to be proactive and nurture an internal confidence spirit to earn prosperity.

Speaking at a special youth forum in Dar es Salaam today, August 13, 2025, Development Programmes and Communications Advisor at Asusa Creative Writers Initiative Ms Dariah Clemence emphasizes the importance of cultivating internal confidence among youths.

The forum proceeded commemorations of the International Youth Day (IYD), which is celebrated annually on August 12th, and this year, it was honored under the theme: ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and Beyond.’

“Internal confidence is a deeper, more sustainable foundation for success, and it is essential for young people striving to drive changes in their communities.

“When external validations such as societal status, job title, appearance, or material possessions are taken away, many people struggle to maintain self-belief.

“This happens because their confidence is tied to circumstances beyond their control…that form of confidence is inherently fragile, like building a house on sand,” she says.

Ms Clemence further highlights that internal confidence is grounded on self-awareness and personal truth, a quality she says is particularly important among young people.

“Internal confidence equips youths with resilience to turn ideas into action, even when they encounter limited resources along the way…in other words, it is the fuel that sustains their commitment in making communities better,” she says.

Additionally, she cautioned the young people against prioritizing appearance over substance, especially in this era where social media can lead them to ‘perform confidence.’

“Performing confidence may bring temporary validations, but cultivating it from within ensures long-term strength and success.

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“This is what will allow young people to lead the kind of transformative, community-driven work envisioned in the SDGs, and this year’s IYD also highlights the role of local and regional governments in creating inclusive space for youth participation,” she says.

Ms Clemence noted that while policies and funding matter, it is the internal strength that determines whether young people can persist in advocacy, innovation, and service, no matter the obstacles that they may face.

“In the end, lasting success is not about how confident you appear, but how grounded you remain even when everything moves away.

“Local action begins with personal conviction. For young people to be catalysts of change, they must first anchor themselves in confidence that comes from within themselves,” she concludes.

Meanwhile, some of the practices that may help people to improve their internal confidence spirit include the following:

Recognize your strengths: The foundation of authentic confidence lies in clarity—knowing your strengths, values, and capabilities that are not tied to roles or recognition.

Separate identity from occupation: Who you are is not defined by your job title or income bracket but rather by integrity, resilience, and kindness from your true identity.

Move beyond external validation: Relying solely on praise from others can weaken self-belief… Thrive to build an internal voice that uplifts and encourages you.

Create a supportive environment: Surround yourself with people who reflect honesty and encouragement. A supportive network reinforces confidence during difficult times.

Embrace practice, failure, and growth: Confidence grows through doing, failing, and trying again through action, not just thought.