Lesego Chombo's zest for life mirrors her remarkable achievements: she is the reigning Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024, a practicing lawyer, and she made history in November 2022 as Botswana's youngest cabinet minister at 26. Her appointment came shortly after the election of President Duma Boko, leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), which ended 58 years of rule by the previous party.
Boko, a Harvard-trained lawyer, aims to diversify Botswana's diamond-dependent economy through youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. Recognizing this initiative needed a youthful representative, he appointed Chombo as the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs. "I've never been more proud to be young," she exclaimed, emphasizing her dedication to youth development, gender equality, and child welfare.
Chombo was designated a specially elected member of Parliament and is among only six female members in a 69-member National Assembly. She admits her rapid rise to political office was unexpected. "I got appointed by a president who had never met me," she remarked, tracing her visibility to her Miss Botswana title, which helped her advocate for social change and establish the Lesego Chombo Foundation. This charity supports underprivileged youth and their families in rural regions, funded by various corporate sponsors.
With about 60% of Botswana's population under 35 and a staggering youth unemployment rate of 28%, Chombo sees her role as vital in fostering economic opportunities. She aims to create a supportive environment for youth initiatives, strengthen entrepreneurship, and ensure young people have input in governance. Chombo is also focused on the government's anti-corruption measures, which include a forensic audit of state spending to build investor confidence.
Despite her commitment to youth development, she is under pressure to tackle gender-based violence amidst alarming statistics that show over 67% of women in Botswana have faced abuse. Chombo faced backlash when she voted against a parliamentary initiative for "peace desks" intended to assist victims of violence, arguing that existing laws already served this purpose. Nevertheless, she remains determined to advance the implementation of a Gender-Based Violence Act to tackle legal gaps.
In her advocacy, Chombo promotes education on gender equity from a young age and aims to engage the community, emphasizing that gender equity benefits everyone. While addressing challenges faced by men regarding mental health and positive masculinity, she firmly states that the focus should be on women as they face significant societal prejudices.
An alumna of the University of Botswana, Chombo credits her success to the women in her life, particularly her mother, and acknowledges the obstacles women encounter in leadership. "Women have to work 10 times harder," she asserts, underscoring the societal pressures on young female leaders. She also acknowledges the influence of Julia Morley, CEO of Miss World, for inspiring a legacy of social responsibility.
As Chombo navigates her new role, she remains committed to making a tangible impact. "I want to look back and see a sustainable legacy that can be carried forward," she states, emphasizing that her journey in leadership has just begun.
