Prince Harry expressed his shock after stepping down as patron of Sentebale, a charity he co-founded to support young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. His departure follows a conflict involving the charity’s trustees and chair, Sophie Chandauka, who is currently pursuing legal action to maintain her position.
Founded in 2006, Sentebale, which means "forget-me-not" in Sesotho, was established in memory of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. Alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry announced that both would leave the organization following the breakdown of relations within the board.
In a joint statement, they described the situation as "devastating," indicating that the trust between members had eroded. “It created an untenable situation,” they said, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the charity’s mission.
Since moving to California in 2020 with his wife, Meghan, and their children, Harry has remained committed to various causes, particularly in Africa. He also visited Nigeria recently, continuing his work to improve lives across the continent.
Recent statistics reveal that about 1.2 million people in South Africa are living with HIV, highlighting the ongoing need for charities like Sentebale. As the charity strives to support these vulnerable communities, it’s crucial that leadership dynamics remain strong and supportive. The trustees emphasize that their decision to ask for the chair’s resignation came from a place of care for the charity’s best interests.
Despite resigning as patrons, Harry and Seeiso plan to stay connected to Sentebale’s mission. “We will always be its founders,” they noted, reaffirming their belief in the charity’s ability to make a positive impact when led by the right people.
For more in-depth statistics and studies about HIV and AIDS in Africa, you can refer to resources like the World Health Organization.
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