CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Prince Harry has resigned as a patron of an African charity he co-founded practically 20 years in the past in reminiscence of his late mom, Princess Diana, citing a breakdown within the relationship between board members and the chairwoman.
The Duke of Sussex together with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who co-founded Sentebale in 2006, stated in a joint assertion Tuesday that they had stop “with heavy hearts” as patrons in help of the trustees of their dispute with chairwoman Sophie Chandauka.
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation,” the princes stated.
“These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the well-being of staff in mind. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.”
Brian Otieno through Getty Pictures
Chandauka stated she had reported Sentebale’s trustees to the Charity Fee within the U.Okay. and filed papers in a British court docket to forestall her removing. In an announcement, she made allegations of misconduct on the charity with out naming anybody or giving particulars.
“Beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to (the) press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir,” Chandauka stated.
Misogynoir refers to a mixture of racism and misogyny directed towards Black ladies.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso stated they’d strategy the Charity Fee, a authorities division within the U.Okay. that regulates philanthropic organizations.
“What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about,” Harry and Seeiso stated.
“Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
Britain’s Press Affiliation reported that the Charity Fee stated it was “aware of concerns about the governance” of Sentebale, which is registered within the U.Okay., and was assessing the problems.
Sentebale, which suggests “don’t forget me” within the Sesotho language of Lesotho and South Africa, was initially targeted on serving to kids and younger folks affected by AIDS within the small mountainous nation of Lesotho and Botswana.
Sentebale stated in an announcement it was evolving into a corporation that addresses bigger problems with youth well being, wealth and local weather resilience in southern Africa. It stated it has not obtained resignations from its royal patrons.
Harry co-founded the charity after he frolicked working at an orphanage in Lesotho throughout a spot 12 months. He final visited Sentebale in Lesotho in October, when he spoke with younger folks and others linked to the charity.
He instructed them: “You might not always realize how significant your influence is, but if it changes even one person’s life, it’s worth it.”
Related Press author Keketso Phakela in Maseru, Lesotho, contributed to this report.
