Lesego Chombo: From Beauty Queen to Botswana’s Youngest Cabinet Minister
Lesego Chombo has made history as Botswana’s youngest cabinet minister at just 26 years old, capping an extraordinary journey from beauty pageants to political leadership in the diamond-rich southern African nation.
A Rising Political Star
Appointed as Minister of Youth and Gender by incoming President Duma Boko in November 2023, Chombo became one of only six female MPs in Botswana’s 69-member National Assembly. Her appointment came as a surprise even to her.
“I got appointed by a president who had never met me,” she told the BBC. “Miss World was only the platform through which I would be seen for this very role.”
Tackling Youth Unemployment
With Botswana facing 28% unemployment (higher among youth), Chombo has prioritized creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs:
- Developing comprehensive youth development programs
- Strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems
- Ensuring youth representation in decision-making
The government has begun a 10-month forensic audit of government spending across 30 state-owned enterprises as part of anti-corruption efforts to boost investor confidence.
Combating Gender-Based Violence
With 67% of Botswanan women experiencing abuse (per UNFPA data), Chombo is pushing for:
- Implementation of a Gender-Based Violence Act
- Curriculum reforms promoting gender equity from childhood
- Holistic approaches involving multiple government ministries
From Pageants to Public Service
Before entering politics, Chombo:
- Won Miss Botswana 2022 and Miss World Africa 2024
- Founded the Lesego Chombo Foundation supporting rural youth
- Worked as a practicing lawyer
She credits her mother and Miss World CEO Julia Morley as key inspirations, saying: “As women, we face so many pressures…I’m currently facing that.”
Additional reporting from Innocent Selatlhwa in Gaborone
Source: BBC News