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Meet Miss Africa Lesego Chombo, Who Made History As Botswana’s Youngest Cabinet Minister
At just 26, Lesego Chombo made history as the youngest cabinet minister in Botswana’s democratic history, a title she wears with the same poise and purpose that won her the Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024 crowns.
But beyond the headlines and accolades, Chombo is fast emerging as one of the most dynamic voices in Botswana’s political landscape, a lawyer, activist, and now Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, working to turn vision into lasting impact.
“I’ve never been more proud to be young; I’m passionate about youth development, gender equality, and the future of our children,” Chombo told the BBC after her appointment.
Pagantry journey
Raised in the rural village of Shorobe in Botswana’s North-West District, Chombo’s early life was marked by modest means but an extraordinary drive. She earned her law degree from the University of Botswana, where she became active in student leadership and community outreach. After graduating, she interned at Baliki Corporate Law and later joined Kebabonye Business Law, rising to the rank of associate.
Her journey into pageantry began with the Queen Esther competition in 2012 and reached a crescendo in 2022 when she won Miss Botswana. It was never just about beauty: she used the platform to launch The Genesis Project, a child wellness initiative under the “Beauty With a Purpose” banner. The project led her across Botswana, including to her hometown, advocating for holistic child development, from education and safety to emotional well-being.
Her success on the Miss World stage in 2023 catapulted her to continental fame, culminating in her being crowned Miss World Africa 2024. Along the way, she founded the Lesego Chombo Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth and families, and launched Law Talks, a digital platform aimed at demystifying legal concepts for the general public.
Unexpected rise to power
Chombo’s entry into politics was as unconventional as it was swift. She neither campaigned nor expected to serve in parliament. Instead, she was appointed as a specially elected Member of Parliament, one of just six women in the 69-member National Assembly, and days later, sworn in as Minister of Youth and Gender.
“I got appointed by a president who had never met me,” she said. “Miss World and the journey I thought was my final destination was actually the platform through which I was seen for this role.”
Now 27, she’s responsible for addressing two of Botswana’s most urgent crises: youth unemployment and gender-based violence. With nearly 60% of the population under 35 and youth joblessness over 28%, Chombo is pushing for policies that support youth-owned businesses, expand procurement quotas, and create what she calls a “youth ecosystem”.
Championing gender equity
Chombo’s gender advocacy, however, has been more contentious. Following a wave of public outrage over rising cases of rape and femicide, she faced criticism for voting against an opposition-led motion to create “peace desks” at police stations to support victims of gender-based violence.
“It hurts to know that it could be me next,” she said, referencing statistics showing that over 67% of women in Botswana have experienced abuse — more than double the global average.
“We want to teach children what gender-based violence is and how to prevent it,” she explained. “It boils down to the home — how parents behave around their children, how they model good behaviour.”
She also advocates for positive masculinity and mental health support for men, challenging patriarchal norms that often fuel abuse.
“When we speak of gender equality, we’re saying it should be applied equally for everyone. But what we strive for is gender equity.”
Despite her fast rise, Chombo is clear-eyed about the road ahead.
“Impact. Tangible impact. That’s what success looks like to me. I want to look back and see that it’s real and sustainable — and that when I leave, someone else can carry it through.”
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