DAR ES SALAAM: IN the competitive hallways of Tanzania’s elite secondary schools, there is an unwritten rule often whispered among students, the smartest minds do science. For years, Suzane Sylvester lived by that rule.
She walked the laboratories of Marian Girls High Secondary School with a stethoscope in her dreams and a Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) textbook in her hand. But today, the 28-year-old isn’t checking pulses in a hospital; she is pulse-checking the state of democracy in Africa.
As the National Chairperson of the Youth of United Nations Association (YUNA) Tanzania, Suzane’s story is a masterclass in the power of the pivot. It is a narrative that speaks to every woman who has ever felt trapped by societal expectations or the fear that it is too late to start over.
The transition from a science student to a diplomat wasn’t an overnight decision; it was a hardfought battle against what Suzane calls mob psychology.
“From childhood, I knew my strengths lay in the arts. History and Geography weren’t just subjects to me; they were windows into how the world worked,” Suzane reflects during an interview with Woman Magazine. “But when you are surrounded by high achievers, the pressure to conform is immense.
My peers wanted to be doctors, so I told myself I wanted to be a doctor, too.” She pursued PCB combination with everything she had, but the passion simply wasn’t there. When she graduated her Advanced Level studies with low credentials, she faced a crossroads that many young people dread, admit defeat or redefine success.
“I think from the very beginning my heart was passionate about something different,” she says. “I was pretending to be in a status that didn’t belong to me.
Realizing that was the first step toward my true calling.” Without losing a moment to self-pity, Suzane returned to her roots. She enrolled at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management.
It was here, in the heart of Tanzania’s capital, that the sparks of leadership began to catch fire. In 2018, she noticed a vibrant energy on campus. Groups of young people were gathered, dressed in professional attire, debating global issues with a fervour she had never seen.
One of them was a friend who introduced her to the Tanzania International Model United Nations (TIMUN).
“I was fascinated,” Suzane recalls. “I saw youth who were wellinformed on international affairs, from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to climate change.
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They had public speaking skills that commanded the room. I knew right then, I didn’t want to be in a lab; I wanted to be at that podium.” In 2019, she joined TIMUN as a delegate. That single move gave her the permit to attend a transformative youth meeting in Morogoro, where she realized that her voice had the power to influence policy.
One of the most striking aspects of Suzane’s rise is her advocacy for volunteerism, a concept many modern graduates shy away from in favor of immediate salary.
“In career development, it is never too early or too late to begin,” she explains. “Even when opportunities are voluntary, youth should apply.
You may not be paid in cash, but you are being paid in social capital and experience. At the end of the day, when the big job opens up, you won’t be starting from scratch.” Suzane practiced what she preached. Shortly after her graduation in 2020, she joined YUNA as a volunteer.
Because of her prior involvement in TIMUN, she wasn’t a novice; she had a network, she understood the protocols, and she knew how to navigate the complexities of youth governance.
Her dedication was quickly recognized, propelling her from Assistant Head of Substantive and Drafter for TIMUN in 2021, to Head of Substantive in 2022, National Coordinator in 2023, and ultimately National Chairperson of YUNA Tanzania in 2024.
A Seat at the Global Table Suzane’s influence has long since outgrown the borders of Tanzania. In December 2025, her role as a board member of the African Leadership Initiative for Impact (ALII) caught the attention of the African Union (AU). She was handpicked by the AU Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security to serve as part of the observation mission for Guinea’s General Election.
For a young woman from the Coast Region, standing on the ground in Guinea as a representative of continental democracy was a full-circle moment. “It cemented my understanding of democracy and governance,” she says.
“It showed me that the discussions we have in student halls have real-world implications for the peace and security of our continent.” The Vision for 2026 and Beyond Suzane is currently at the helm of one of the most significant youth events in the region: TIMUN 2026, scheduled to take place from May 18 to May 22. Under her leadership, the conference has evolved into more than just a simulation; it is a policy powerhouse.
The recommendations generated by the youth delegates are now formally submitted to the Ministry of State (President’s Office), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UN Tanzania. She is building a bridge between the youth of today and the policymakers of tomorrow. But she isn’t stopping there.
With her vast experience in public speaking and international relations, Suzane is eyeing a future within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. “I am ready to serve,” she says with a confident smile.
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“Whether it’s at the UN, the AU, or within our own government, the goal remains the same: ensuring that the Tanzanian voice is heard on the global stage.” A Message to the ‘Dreamers’ Suzane’s journey is a reminder that a low grade or a wrong start is not a life sentence. It is merely a redirection.
“Youth should not hesitate to start by thinking it is too late,” she said. “Success is built step by step. My journey was a summary of flexibility, readiness to learn, and the courage to stop pretending.” As she prepares to lead hundreds of young delegates this May, Suzane stands as a beacon for any woman who has been told her dreams are too big or her path is too unconventional.
In the world of international politics, Suzane has found her status and she didn’t have to pretend to get there.