Girl Is Just Getting Started
By Adaline Sosu
A dynamic youth figure in Botswana’s youth scene, Lesego Chombo is anything but conventional. At 26, she is a lawyer, a beauty queen, a philanthropist, and now Botswana’s youngest-ever cabinet minister. What makes her unusual isn’t just the variety of her roles, but how she ties them together into a single, impactful story of progress.
Her appointment, symbolic and inspiring marks a significant turning point in giving voice and representation to the aspirations of Botswana’s youth.
“I am blessed with a role that gives me greater opportunity to serve young people, and be part of the movement striving towards a new and better Botswana. I am grateful to be the incumbent minister of youth and gender affairs. All I have ever really longed for was to make people’s lives better, in all that I do. Now here is active and meaningful change!
She said on her Facebook page.
Call Her a Pageant Queen With a Purpose
Her journey into limelight began long before her political appointment. Crowned Miss Botswana in 2022 and later Miss World Africa in 2024, she didn’t just wear the crown, we can say she used it as a amplifier. Her platform, “Beauty with a Purpose,” became a rallying cry for gender equality, education, and youth empowerment.
But Lesego’s pageant wins weren’t just about the titles. They were about the conversations she sparked. Advocating for women’s rights, addressing gender-based violence, you name it! she turned the stage into a platform for action. Her journey wasn’t just about winning crowns; it was about creating change.
The Lawyer Who Listens
While her pageant success brought her fame, Lesego’s heart has always been in the law. As an attorney practicing at Botswana’s High Courts, she’s made a name for herself by focusing on community advocacy and social justice. But she didn’t stop there.
Through her online initiative, “Law Talks,” Lesego demystifies legal jargon, making the law accessible to everyday people. It’s not just about winning cases; it’s about empowering others to understand their rights. Her approach to law is refreshingly human.
In November 2024, Lesego’s life took another dramatic turn when President Duma Boko appointed her as Botswana’s Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs. At 26, she became the youngest person to hold a cabinet position in the country’s history.
Botswana faces a gender-based violence rate of 67%, one of the highest in the world. Lesego is tackling this head-on, focusing on mental health awareness and promoting positive masculinity. “Our patriarchal culture shouldn’t perpetuate violence,” she says. “We need to redefine what it means to be a man and a woman in our society.”
Her priorities are clear:
- Educating 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.
We can all say Lesego’s rise hasn’t been without its hurdles. As a young woman in a high-profile role, she’s faced her fair share of skepticism. “People say a woman can’t do this, or a young person can’t lead,” she shares. “But when you excel at what you do, your age and gender become irrelevant.”
Her confidence comes from her experiences. “Being a lawyer, a beauty queen, and now a minister, it all adds up,” she says. “I’m here to learn, to grow, and to make a difference.”
The Heart of the Community
Beyond her professional achievements, Lesego’s heart beats for her community. Through the Lesego Chombo Foundation, she provides educational resources and opportunities for underprivileged youth. On her birthday, she hosted 70 children, offering them health checks and a chance to explore music. It’s these small, meaningful gestures that reveal her true character.
The Path Forward
Lesego Chombo isn’t confined to being a minister or a beauty queen, she’s an example of how drive and vision can create change. Her story teaches us that leadership isn’t about the position you hold but the difference you make.
As she moves forward and continues to navigate her multifaceted roles, one truth stands out: Lesego is reshaping what it means to lead. And in the process, she’s showing the world how to dream fearlessly, push boundaries, and lead with integrity.
