Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to support vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, is currently facing significant internal turmoil. This crisis has led to the resignation of both founding patrons and several trustees, casting uncertainty over the organization's future.
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The discord centers around Sophie Chandauka, who was appointed chair of Sentebale's board in 2023. Chandauka, a Zimbabwean corporate finance lawyer with a distinguished career at institutions like Morgan Stanley and Meta, has been accused by former trustees of exhibiting a "dictatorial" leadership style. These allegations have resulted in a series of high-profile departures, including that of the trustees and the charity's co-founders.
Chandauka has refuted these accusations, positioning herself as a "whistleblower" who has exposed issues of poor governance, weak executive management, and abuses of power within Sentebale. She has further alleged experiencing bullying, harassment, misogyny, and racism from unnamed board members. In response, Chandauka has initiated legal action against the charity and reported these concerns to the UK's Charity Commission.
The escalating conflict prompted the unanimous resignation of Sentebale's trustees, who cited an untenable working environment under Chandauka's leadership. In solidarity with the trustees, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso announced their resignation as patrons, expressing their commitment to the charity's mission but acknowledging the necessity of their departure under the current circumstances. The UK's Charity Commission has acknowledged awareness of the governance concerns at Sentebale and is assessing the situation to determine appropriate regulatory actions. The outcome of these investigations will be pivotal in addressing the internal conflicts and determining the charity's path forward.