Keypoints:
- Chombo becomes youngest cabinet minister at 26
- Leads youth and gender policy reforms
- Vows lasting impact beyond her pageant title
LESEGO Chombo has made history not once, but multiple times. The Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024 titleholder, lawyer, and philanthropist added another first to her résumé in November—becoming Botswana’s youngest cabinet minister at just 26.
Appointed Minister of Youth and Gender by President Duma Boko, Chombo now finds herself at the forefront of a government aiming to diversify Botswana’s diamond-dependent economy and elevate youth leadership. Her appointment came shortly after the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) swept to power, ending 58 years of rule by the Botswana Democratic Party.
‘I’ve never been more proud to be young,’ Chombo told the BBC in Gaborone. ‘I’m passionate about youth development, gender equality, and the future of our children.’
From courtroom to cabinet
Chombo, who is also an associate at a Gaborone law firm, had not campaigned for a parliamentary seat. She was appointed as a specially elected MP—a provision in Botswana’s political system that allows non-elected citizens to join the National Assembly. She is now one of only six women in the 69-member legislature.
She described the appointment as unexpected: ‘I got appointed by a president who had never met me,’ she said, adding that her visibility through the Miss World platform helped spotlight her work.
Her foundation, the Lesego Chombo Foundation, continues to support underprivileged youth and parents in rural Botswana, with funding from corporate sponsors. But now, she’s moved from community outreach to national policy—and she’s not taking the opportunity lightly.
Tackling youth joblessness and economic exclusion
With 60 percent of the population under 35 and youth unemployment above 28 percent, Chombo is tasked with addressing one of Botswana’s most urgent challenges. Her vision includes a ‘youth ecosystem’—a national framework for entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment.
She wants to ensure youth-led businesses are prioritised in public procurement, pushing for quotas in state tenders. This aligns with President Boko’s broader economic agenda, which includes a 10-month forensic audit of government spending and new foreign investment partnerships, including a deal with UAE-based CCI Global to establish a business process outsourcing hub in Botswana.
‘We need an economy in which youth can thrive,’ Chombo said.
Fighting gender-based violence head-on
Chombo’s other key focus is addressing gender-based violence, which remains a critical issue. According to a 2024 report by the UN Population Fund, more than 67 percent of women in Botswana have experienced abuse—over twice the global average.
‘It hurts to know that it could be me next,’ she told the BBC, reflecting on the urgency of the crisis.
However, her stance on the issue has faced criticism. In her first month as minister, she voted against an opposition motion to establish “peace desks” at police stations and courts. Critics argued this showed a lack of support for survivors, but Chombo defended the decision, stating that the legal provisions already exist and the focus sh
ould be on enforcement and awareness.
Following a police report revealing over 100 rapes and 10 murders during the festive season, public pressure intensified. Chombo responded by pushing for a new Gender-Based Violence Act to close legislative gaps and ensure real protection for survivors.
She is also calling for an inter-ministerial approach to tackling the crisis, involving the health, education, and local government sectors. ‘We want to teach gender equity from childhood—in schools, homes, and communities,’ she said.
Redefining beauty with purpose
Chombo credits her pageant journey with preparing her for this role. ‘I really channelled it for this big crown,’ she said, referring to Miss World. But it was never just about glamour. The platform gave her a voice—and now, the means to make systemic change.
‘We strive for a world where we feel seen and represented,’ she said. ‘I happen to be the essence of that representation.’
Her vision for gender equality includes engaging men, particularly on mental health and positive masculinity. She frequently addresses traditional leaders, urging them to challenge patriarchal norms that perpetuate gender violence. ‘Culture should not be an excuse for abuse,’ she warned.
Legacy in the making
Now 27, Chombo acknowledges the pressure that comes with her historic rise. ‘As women, we face so many pressures: “A woman can’t do this. A woman can’t lead.” I’m currently facing that,’ she admitted.
She credits her mother and Miss World CEO Ju
lia Morley as key inspirations. ‘Julia created a legacy of beauty with a purpose. My mother gave me a space to thrive. That’s why I’m here.’
But for Chombo, it’s not about titles or visibility—it’s about impact. ‘Tangible impact. That’s what success would look like to me,’ she said. ‘I want to look back and see that what we built can be sustained—long after I’m gone.’
