Lesego Chombo's effervescent spirit is paralleled only by her impressive accomplishments. Crowned Miss Botswana in 2022 and Miss World Africa in 2024, she has taken her platform beyond the pageantry, serving as a full-time lawyer and making history as Botswana's youngest cabinet minister at the age of 26. Her appointment came after President Duma Boko's party, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), made a significant electoral breakthrough, ending a 58-year rule by the previous party.
President Boko, an advocate for youthful solutions to economic challenges, selected Chombo to lead the Ministry of Youth and Gender, making her a pivotal figure in the government. "I've never been more proud to be young," she stated during an interview at the capital's ministry offices. With over 60% of Botswana's population being under 35, Chombo recognizes the urgency of addressing youth unemployment, which currently stands at a staggering 28%, particularly affecting young women.
Despite a meteoric rise that she never anticipated, Chombo emphasizes that her journey is about more than personal success. "Miss World was just the platform for me to be seen for this very role," she shared. Through her Lesego Chombo Foundation, she works fervently to uplift disadvantaged youth, focusing on children's development and support for families in rural areas.
As she navigates the complexities of her new role, Chombo confronts significant socio-economic challenges. With high unemployment rates and a pervasive culture of gender-based violence — where about 67% of women report experiencing abuse — she is determined to instigate change. Her focus on youth development is not just about job creation more importantly, it encompasses nurturing entrepreneurship and ensuring young voices are included in policy-making.
Chombo's term has seen a heightened awareness around gender violence in Botswana, with a recent upsurge in incidents sparking public outrage. Amidst criticism for her parliamentary decisions concerning laws on gender violence, she has reiterated her commitment to improving awareness and ensuring existing laws are enforced.
With comprehensive reforms in the pipeline, including a push for a Gender-Based Violence Act, she emphasizes the need for holistic approaches that involve various ministries. Education is a key tool for Chombo; she advocates for curricula that instill gender equity values from a tender age, striving for societal transformation through knowledge.
Moreover, she seeks to address men's issues, emphasizing mental health and positive masculinity, recognizing that gender equity must benefit all. Reflecting on her role, she acknowledges the pressures that young women in leadership face, citing the hard work of her mother, and other empowered women, as a source of inspiration.
With a firm vision for her term, Chombo aims for “tangible impact” that outlasts her tenure, aspiring to cultivate a societal environment conducive for all young people to flourish. "When I leave, I want someone else to be able to carry it through," she affirmed, underlining her dedication to sustainable change.
As Lesego Chombo continues in her multifaceted roles — beauty queen, lawyer, and minister — she exemplifies a new wave of leadership in Botswana. Her story embodies hope for a more equitable and empowered future for the nation’s youth.
