Former Sentebale trustee Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, who also resigned at the same time as its founders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, claims the pair are “torn apart” because they chose to do so in the midst of a contentious boardroom row.
A trustee who quit Prince Harry’s charity at the same time as him in an extraordinary row has said he is worried about the royal’s “emotional wellbeing”. In a shock statement, the Duke of Sussex revealed 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.
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”.
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, has revealed he is concerned about Harry’s emotional well-being amid the bitter row.
He told The Times: “I think given their commitment to the welfare of kids, they are torn apart at the thought of looking like they’re abandoning them when they know that they’re not abandoning them.”
When Harry was 19 years old, Harry spent two months in Botswana while he was still in his gap year. This inspired him to start the charity, which is now active there as well. He visited herd boys who live in remote mountain areas and visit Aids orphans who had been living in harsh conditions.
Two years later – in memory of his late mother – he set up Sentebale with Prince Seeiso to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids. Its name means ‘forget-me-not’ – the favourite flower of Harry’s late mother.
You’ll be surprised, he said when he founded the organization in Lesotho nearly 20 years ago. In 25 years, you’ll notice a significant change when you return to this location. I’m committed for the rest of my life, the young prince said.
Dr. Lerotholi, a Seeiso cousin, refers to Harry as “family” after the prince would visit his house to watch rugby during his 2004 break. He continued, “They would leave for the mountains and then return to my house to be refreshed, watch the rugby, and hang out.”
The prince took him on those trips to the remote, rural areas where he first saw the dire straits and difficult circumstances facing young people there.
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 chair of the board caused an untenable situation, which is devastating.
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 Sentebale’s governance is “concerned with concerns.” The commission stated in a statement that “we are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
Source: Mirror
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