BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE – Singer-songwriter and Mosoul Media creative iYA (born Nkhosiyabongwa Dlamini) encouraged young people to embrace themselves, overcome insecurities and recognise their individuality during the International Youth Day event held at Sifundzane High School.
The event, hosted by the African Union under the theme “Power through collective belief”, brought together young people and professionals for conversations centred on personal growth, leadership, confidence and the realities facing today’s youth.
Speaking during a panel discussion, iYA opened up about her own struggles with shyness and low self-esteem, revealing that her journey towards confidence was not always easy.
She told the students that there was a time when she deliberately stayed at the back of gatherings because she did not want to be noticed, having embraced the insecurities she carried.
However, her perspective changed through her Christian faith and personal journey.
Dlamini explained that growing up in church and developing a deeper relationship with God through personal Bible study helped her understand that every individual has a unique purpose.
She encouraged the students to see themselves as “God’s greatest masterpiece”, stressing that nobody else can live the life assigned to them.
“Only me, only myself, can walk the journey that is meant for me,” Dlamini said, encouraging young people not to allow insecurities to prevent them from fulfilling their potential.
She also urged the students to embrace the things they may consider weaknesses or imperfections, saying these characteristics could form part of what makes their journeys unique.
For Dlamini, confidence is not about comparing oneself with others but accepting who one is and recognising the value they bring to the world.
“If you deprive the world of your light that was placed inside of you, the world is missing that space,” she told the students.
Her message resonated with the event’s broader focus on collective belief, highlighting that empowering young people begins with helping them believe in themselves.
Dlamini further encouraged the youth to “be confident, love yourself and be comfortable in your skin”, reminding them that their individual journeys cannot be replicated.
The panel discussion also featured Dr Thokozani Nkambule and Ms Duduzile Simelane, who shared their perspectives on youth empowerment, responsibility and creating opportunities for young people.
#iYA #InternationalYouthDay #PowerThroughCollectiveBelief #SifundzaneHighSchool #YouthEmpowerment #Eswatini #EPN
