Duma Boko, Botswana’s newly elected president, is reshaping the country’s leadership. He has appointed Lesego Chombo, the current Miss World Africa 2024 and former Miss Botswana 2022, as the nation’s Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs.
Boko defended his selection, saying, “Youth and gender must go beyond conversation to action,” according to IOL.
Chombo, a 26-year-old attorney, has also been nominated to the Botswana Parliament. She shared her excitement on Instagram, saying, “As of today, I am blessed with a role that gives me a 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!”
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According to Pulse, she was brought up in Botswana by her parents, Motswanageng and Ditebo Chombo. She showed an early interest in justice and community service, inspiring her to enroll at the University of Botswana to obtain a law degree.
After earning her LLB, she worked as an attorney in Botswana’s high courts.
Chombo began her legal career with an internship at Baliki Corporate Law after graduating from college, and moved to Kebabonye Business Law, eventually becoming an associate.
Chombo made her pageant debut in 2012 when she took home the title of Queen Esther.
The Queen Esther group has been running the Queen Esther Beauty pageant since 2010 with the goal of empowering young women and girls to be exceptional role models and change agents for their generation.
Chombo increased her platform for social change by winning the Miss Women Empowerment title in 2017 and the Miss Botswana title in 2022.
In 2023, with this title, she established the Lesego Chombo Foundation to support disadvantaged youth through initiatives like The Genesis Project.
According to The Voice, The Genesis Project intends to foster an environment that is favorable for the development of economically disadvantaged children by providing their parents with the necessary skills to support their children’s emotional, social, and cognitive advancement.
Chombo’s 2024 victory as Miss World Africa put her in the news once more, this time on a global scale.
She currently teaches the public through her website, “Law Talks,” where she offers legal advice to assist people in navigating complicated legal matters.
Aside from pageantry, politics, and charity work, she enjoys playing the guitar, singing, and engaging in sports like baseball and swimming.
Her exceptional efforts have not gone unappreciated. She has won numerous awards, such as “Favorite Personality of the Year” and “Woman of the Year” at the 2024 Women’s Awards in Botswana.
Going forward, she intends to open a law firm, expressing her desire to empower others through legal services.
