Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity, which he quit as patron, is now in a bitter row, with the group posting a loaded statement on social media.
The bitter row engulfing Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity has intensified, with the organisation issuing a blunt statement. This week, Harry revealed the shock news that he would be resigning as patron of Sentebale, the charity he helped to set up almost 20 years ago in honour of his late mother Princess Diana to help children affected by HIV/AIDs – a move said to have left him “torn apart”.
His resignation along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the charity’s other joint founder, came just hours before its chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka appeared to criticise Harry for “playing the victim card”, and issued a blistering statement alleging there had been “poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir”.
Sentebale’s first social media post since the spat broke out has now sparked the bitter boardroom feud, which not only makes fun of Harry and his co-founder, but also downplays the role of trustees while praising “people in the field who are advanceing the work.”
It states, “It’s the incredible teams on the ground, our staff, and local partners, who walk alongside the children and young people we serve, every day, to bring our mission to life.” Even though trustees are essential for good governance and regulation and patrons, especially founders, are honorable, it is the people in the field who, regardless of circumstance, advance the work.
Our commitment to improving the health, better living conditions, and climate resilience of southern Africa’s youth is still as strong as it was in the past. They are still working because they deserve nothing less.
Numerous trustees have resigned from the organization after requesting Dr. Chandauka’s resignation due to a dispute with her. According to some, the dispute stemmed from a decision to concentrate fundraising in Africa.
And now, Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, a trustee for the charity since it started in 2006 and who quit in the same year as Harry, has revealed that he is concerned about the emotional well-being of the two princes amid the contentious row. He claimed for The Times that “given their commitment to the welfare of children,” they “are torn apart” at the notion of abandoning them when they “know they’re not abandoning them.”
Harry, a 19-year-old boy, spent two months in Lesotho during his year-long gap. He was inspired to start the charity, which is now operational in Botswana. He visited herd boys who live in remote mountain areas and visit Aids orphans who had been living in harsh conditions.
In honor of his late mother, he founded Sentebale with Prince Seeiso to assist young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those who are living with HIV and Aids. Two years later, he founded Sentebale. Its name signifies “forget-me-not,” Harry’s favorite flower, according to its name.
Harry and Seeiso confirmed their decision to step down as patrons in a statement that supported and showed solidarity with the board of trustees, who had to do the same. The dysfunctional relationship between the charity’s trustees and the board chair left a lasting impression, making this situation untenable.
After the late Queen in 2021 removed Harry from his royal patronages and honorary military positions, Harry kept a small number of private patronages at Sentebale. The Charity Commission stated that it is “concerned of concerns about Sentebale’s governance.” The commission stated in a statement that it is assessing the issues and is deciding what are the appropriate regulatory actions to take.
Source: Mirror
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