Lesego Chombo

Lesego Chombo
Chombo in 2022
Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs of Botswana
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 November 2024
Preceded byTumiso Rakgare (Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture)
Personal details
Born
Shorobe, Botswana
CitizenshipBotswana
Parent(s)Othusitse Motswanageng Chombo and Ditebo Chombo
EducationUniversity of Botswana

Lesego Chombo is a Motswana politician, and former beauty pageant titleholder. She has served as Botswana's Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs since November 2024, and is the youngest person to hold a ministerial post in the country's national assembly.

Before entering formal politics, Chombo practiced law and competed in beauty pageants. She won Miss Botswana 2022 and represented Botswana at Miss World 2023, reaching the top four and won the title of Miss World Africa.

Early life and education

Lesego Chombo was born in Shorobe, North-West District, Botswana.[citation needed] She holds a law degree from the University of Botswana. She practiced as an Attorney at Law for two years prior to competing in beauty pageants.

Career

After completing her studies, Chombo began her legal career with an internship at Baliki Corporate Law. She later joined and become an associate at Kebabonye Business Law.[citation needed] In November 2024, President Duma Boko nominated her to the National Assembly, where she was subsequently appointed Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs.

Pageantry

Chombo won her first beauty pageant, the Queen Esther in 2012, and Miss Women Empowerment in 2017. In 2022, she won Miss Botswana, and in 2024 Miss World Africa.[citation needed]

Political career

Lesego was inducted to the National Assembly of Botswana as a specially elected MP. on 7 November 2024. Her appointment to the position of Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs was announced by President Duma Boko on 11 November 2024; she became the youngest person to hold ministerial office, at age 26.

Endnotes

  1. ↑ According to the Government of Botswana, specially elected MPs are chosen by leaders of political parties represented in Parliament to ensure broader representation.

References

  1. ↑ Chombo, Lesego (2024-02-09). "Lesego CHOMBO - BOTSWANA". Lesego Chombo - Miss World 2023 Botswana. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  2. ↑ Chombo, Lesego (2024-02-13). "Miss World Botswana, Lesego Chombo". Lesego Chombo - Miss World 2023 Botswana. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  3. 1 2 Okumu, Anne; Khisa, Brian (2025-05-11). "Lesego Chombo: Miss World Africa beauty queen and Botswana's youngest cabinet minister". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  4. 1 2 Mashamaite, Modiegi (7 November 2024). "From the catwalk to parliament: ex-Miss Botswana Lesego Chombo accepts new president's nomination as MP". Times Live. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  5. ↑ "Former Miss Botswana Lesego Chombo sworn in as MP". Daily Jang. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.