Lesego Chombo

Lesego Chombo
Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs of Botswana
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 November 2024
Preceded by	Tumiso Rakgare (Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture)
Personal details
Born	April 16, 1998 Shorobe, Botswana
Citizenship	Botswana
Nationality	Motswana
Parent(s)	Othusitse Motswanageng Chombo and Ditebo Chombo
Education	University of Botswana

Introduction

Lesego Chombo is a Botswana politician, attorney, and model who is the current Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs of Botswana. Her appointment to the position was announced by President Duma Boko on 11 November 2024. She rose to fame after winning the 2024 Miss World competition, where she was crowned Miss World Africa 2024.

Lesego was inducted to the National Assembly of Botswana as a specially elected MP on 7 November 2024.

Early Life and Education

Born in Shorobe, a village in Botswana’s North-West District, Lesego Chombo grew up in a culturally rich community. Despite economic challenges, she excelled academically and showed early leadership potential. Her dedication to social justice led her to pursue a law degree at the University of Botswana. While studying, she became actively involved in student organizations and community projects, which laid the groundwork for her commitment to using her legal expertise to advocate for equity and justice. She has experience practising as an Attorney at Law for two years prior to her journey in the world of beauty pageants.

Career

Legal Profession

After completing her studies, Chombo launched her legal career with an internship at Baliki Corporate Law. She later joined Kebabonye Business Law[1], eventually becoming an associate. Her aspirations include establishing her own law firm to empower marginalized communities by providing accessible legal services. Chombo’s work in law has been defined by her focus on community advocacy and social justice, earning her recognition as a transformative leader in the legal field. In November 2024, President Duma Boko nominated her to the National Assembly, where she was subsequently appointed Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs.

Beauty and Fashion

Chombo’s journey in beauty pageants began with her win in the Queen Esther[2] competition in 2012. Her advocacy for gender equality and education gained momentum when she was crowned Miss Women Empowerment in 2017. In 2022, her national prominence grew after winning the Miss Botswana title. Her achievements in 2024 as Miss World Africa spotlighted her ability to use her platform to address critical developmental issues across Africa[3].

Political career

In her new role as Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Chombo has made history as Botswana’s youngest minister, taking office at the age of 26. Her appointment reflects her rising influence as a young leader committed to driving positive change in Botswana and across the continent.

As Minister, her priorities include:

• Reducing youth unemployment through innovative policies.
• Promoting gender equality in both public and private sectors.
• Encouraging young people to embrace leadership roles across all areas of society.

Chombo is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in shaping Botswana’s approach to youth and gender issues.

Personal life

Outside her professional responsibilities, Chombo enjoys playing the guitar, singing, and engaging in sports like baseball and swimming. Known for her strong Christian faith, she integrates her values into her work and personal life, emphasizing resilience and personal growth [4].

Vision and Legacy

Chombo is deeply committed to community development. Through her foundation [5], she supports underprivileged youth by providing resources for education and empowerment. Her online platform, "Law Talks", is dedicated to helping people understand complex legal matters. Chombo’s initiatives highlight her dedication to creating a more equitable society.