What started as a noble mission to support African children has taken a dramatic turn.
Prince Harry has made the unexpected decision to step down from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago, following what he describes as an “unthinkable” controversy.
The charity, dedicated to helping orphans affected by poverty and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, has been thrown into turmoil as internal conflicts between the board of trustees and the chair have spiraled out of control.
A Legacy in Jeopardy
Prince Harry, alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, launched Sentebale in 2006 in honor of their late mothers.
The charity has since become a beacon of hope for young people in southern Africa.
But now, a deep rift within its leadership has led to resignations at the highest level.
In a heartfelt statement, Harry and Prince Seeiso admitted they were “shocked” and “heartbroken” to step away, but felt they had no other option.
What Went Wrong?
The conflict appears to have started when Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer, was appointed as chair of the board last year.
Reports suggest that her appointment was met with strong opposition from other trustees, who allegedly wanted her removed.
When that didn’t happen, Chandauka took legal action against the charity, alleging misconduct, bullying, harassment, and even misogynoir—a term referring to racism and sexism against Black women.
Chandauka didn’t hold back in her response to the controversy.
In a fiery statement, she accused some within the organization of trying to cover up abuses of power.
She emphasized that she refused to be intimidated, saying she stood by her principles and the young people the charity serves.
Trustees Walk Away, Harry Takes a Stand
The ongoing battle reached a breaking point when the entire board of trustees, including longtime Harry confidant Mark Dyer, resigned in protest.
They stated they could no longer support Sentebale under its current leadership, citing a loss of trust in Chandauka.
With tensions reaching a boiling point, Harry ultimately sided with the trustees, publicly supporting their decision to step down.
In a joint statement, he and Prince Seeiso lamented the situation, calling it “devastating.”
Chandauka Refuses to Back Down
Despite mounting pressure, Chandauka has refused to resign.
She insists she is committed to Sentebale’s mission and will continue in her role, regardless of the controversy.
She framed the situation as a battle for justice, saying, “There are people who behave as though they are above the law… but I will not be intimidated.”
A Charity in Crisis
This latest scandal is just one of many blows to Sentebale in recent months.
The charity has lost several key figures, including its chief executive, Richard Miller, and former chairman Johnny Hornby.
There have also been whispers of financial struggles, with the organization facing challenges in securing funding for its projects in Africa.
The UK Charity Commission has now stepped in to assess the governance issues at Sentebale.
While it’s unclear what their investigation will conclude, the damage to the charity’s reputation is undeniable.
What Happens Next?
With Prince Harry and the entire board stepping away, Sentebale is at a crossroads.
Will the charity be able to recover from this public fallout, or is this the beginning of the end for an organization that has done so much good? Only time will tell, but for now, the future of Sentebale remains uncertain.