In a troubling development, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chair of the Sentebale charity, has accused Prince Harry of orchestrating a media attack that has led to widespread harassment and bullying of herself and the charity.
According to Page Six, Prince Harry's actions and subsequent resignation have sparked controversy and allegedly caused harm to the charity's operations and reputation.
Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in memory of their late mothers, focuses on helping young people affected by HIV/AIDS. Recently, the charity has been thrust into the spotlight for reasons beyond its humanitarian work. Dr. Chandauka claimed that Prince Harry authorized the release of disparaging information about her to the press without prior notice to her or her executive team.
This incident has led to significant backlash against Dr. Chandauka and even impacted the broader organization, affecting approximately 540 individuals connected with Sentebale. The situation escalated quickly, with the charity chair pointing fingers at what she describes as "the Sussex machine," a term she uses to refer to the public relations apparatus supporting Prince Harry. She alleges this PR machine played a role in spreading the damaging news.
The problems at Sentebale culminated in the resignation of its two co-founders. On March 10, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso submitted a joint resignation letter to Dr. Chandauka and the trustees of Sentebale. Their resignation was announced earlier in the week, expressing their devastation over the disintegration of their relationship with the charity's trustees.
According to Dr. Chandauka, the issues at hand extend beyond just poor communication. She accuses there being deeper systemic problems within the organization, including misogyny, misogynoir, and poor governance. She claimed these issues were pivotal in the decisions leading to the resignations of the charity's patrons.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Chandauka remains committed to the cause of Sentebale. She proudly stated, "Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organization, its mission, and the young people we serve," emphasizing her dedication to fairness and equity in carrying out the charity's objectives.
The revelations and subsequent press coverage orchestrated by what Dr. Chandauka refers to as the "Sussex machine" have not only affected the charity's internal operations but also its public perception. "The only way we discovered his decision was through the Sussex machine activating newspaper," she explained.
Her description paints a picture of a sudden and unilateral decision-making process, leading to widespread confusion and damage within Sentebale. The use of media to disseminate damaging information, ostensibly without proper consultation with the charity's leadership, has raised questions about governance and communication standards within such high-profile charitable organizations.
Further detailing the harassment she and the charity faced, Dr. Chandauka shared, "And can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their families?" This statement highlights the profound impact the alleged attacks have had on the charity's staff and their communities.
In response to the allegations and resignation, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso expressed their shock and dismay, stating, "With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees." They lamented the irrevocable breakdown of their relationship with the charity's leadership.
This decision, though difficult, underscores the tensions and challenges faced by Sentebale in maintaining its mission amidst internal strife and public scandal. The charity, which has done significant work in supporting vulnerable populations, now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and integrity in the wake of these allegations.
As the situation unfolds, all parties involved remain fixated on the overarching goal of aiding young people affected by HIV/AIDS. However, the path forward is uncertain, with the need for strong leadership and transparent governance being more apparent than ever. Dr. Chandauka's focus on transparency and fairness might pave the way for reconciliation and a return to effective operation, despite the current turmoil.
