Sentebale, which means “forget-me-not” in the local language of Lesotho, was established by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006. The charity was founded in honor of Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, with the original mission of helping children in southern Africa affected by HIV/AIDS, especially in Lesotho and Botswana.
Recent Developments
- Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso have stepped down as patrons of Sentebale, following the resignation of five trustees over a dispute with the organization’s chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
- The conflict centers around governance issues and a recent shift in Sentebale’s mission from supporting children impacted by HIV/AIDS to “addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa.”
- Both princes described the situation as “untenable” and expressed shock at having to take this step.
Statements from Both Sides
In their joint statement to the Times, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said: “With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair.”
Chairwoman Sophie Chandauka defended her position and made serious allegations about the organization, stating she was “a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir, and the cover-up that ensued.”
Impact on Sentebale
The UK Charity Commission has stated it is “aware of concerns” over Sentebale’s governance and is “assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.” Both the departing trustees and Chandauka have filed complaints with the Commission.
Sentebale has been central to Prince Harry’s public image since his early 20s. Following his departure from royal duties in 2021, he had already reduced his patronages significantly, making this resignation particularly notable.
This governance dispute marks a challenging period for Sentebale as it attempts to continue its work supporting youth in Southern Africa amid leadership conflicts.