10 Mar 2024

All was not lost for Botswana as its beauty queen, Lesego Chombo, was crowned the new Miss World Africa, though expectations were high that she would clinch the Miss World title.

Chombo made it to the top four of the prestigious beauty pageant held in India over the weekend.

The 71st Miss World title was ultimately won by Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic while Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon came second.

After announcement of the winner, many Batswana, some of whom attended watch parties across the country to watch the Miss World finale, took to the social media to air their frustration that Chombo did not win despite doing extremely well.

Chombo’s talent was recognised as she reached the top 14 finalists in the talent competition.  

She also showcased her athletic skills by securing second place in the beep challenge and winning the 200m race at the sport finals.

Throughout the competition, she excelled in various fast track events, emerging victorious in the head-to-head challenge, securing a spot in the top 10 semi-finalists of the beauty with a purpose category as well as achieving recognition as Top Model Africa and a Top 4 winner.

However, Botswana took solace in the fact that Chombo was crowned Miss World Africa after securing a spot in the top eight, surpassing her African counterpart, Miss Uganda  Hannah

Tumukunde, both of whom had reached the top 12. Chombo is the second Miss Botswana to scoop the Miss World-Africa title.

In 2010/2011, Emma Wareus, walked away with the title after winning the Miss World first runner up position at the Miss World.

And Wareus congratulated Chombo through a Facebook message saying, ‘you are now the second woman from Botswana to hold the prestigious position of Miss World Africa.

You showed poise, grace, beauty and purpose’.

She also said this was the beginning of an amazing journey for Chombo.  

“Unfortunately I was not able to hone into my duties as Miss World Africa as I was traveling that year, but now you have a great responsibility to do what I couldn’t do - use the title wisely and for the greater good of our nation, and continent,” Wareus wrote.

During the crowning ceremony, it was announced that the regional winners will travel to Mauritius as part of the prize. ENDS