Prince Harry’s dispute over administration of the African nonprofit he based in honor of his mom, the late Princess Diana, has grown much more bitter, with the embattled chairwoman taking swipes at him and different departing trustees, alleging “abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir” — prejudice towards Black girls.
Sophie Chandauka, a Zimbabwe-born company finance lawyer, hit again after Harry’s dramatic announcement Monday, first reported by the Occasions UK, by which he mentioned that he and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho had no different alternative however to step down from the group, Sentebale. The 2 royal pals established the group in 2006 saying they needed to assist younger folks in Lesotho and Botswana dwelling in poverty and caught up within the AIDS/HIV disaster.
Harry and Seeiso described their determination to depart Sentebale as “devastating” however mentioned their relationship with Chandauka had damaged down “beyond repair, creating an untenable situation,” the Occasions reported.
Chandauka, who was named chair of the board of trustees final 12 months, responded to Harry’s complaints about her management by presenting herself as a “whistleblower,” the Occasions mentioned. In refusing to depart her job, she additionally appeared to recommend that Sentebale was a “vanity project” for Harry, Seeiso and different trustees, the Occasions added.
In a press release to the media, Chandauka mentioned she had been “guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means,” Folks additionally reported.
“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct,” her assertion continued.
Chandauka added that that 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, misogynoir and the coverup that ensued.”
Misogynoir is also described as “hatred of or aversion to Black women,” in keeping with Merriam-Webster and different dictionaries. Chandauka’s use of this time period could possibly be seen as pointed at Harry, who had tried to current himself as enlightened on racial issues after decrying racism directed towards his biracial spouse, Meghan Markle.
Chandauka bought in some extra obvious digs at Harry by saying that her work with Sentebale was “not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account.”
Chandauka moreover mentioned she had filed a lawsuit within the Excessive Court docket within the U.Okay. the place the nonprofit is registered. So as to add to the controversy, the Charity Fee within the U.Okay., which registers and regulates nonprofits in England and Wales, confirmed to the Occasions UK that they’re investigating Chandauka’s claims.
Harry appeared wanting to get forward of the brewing controversy by revealing in a Occasions UK report earlier this week that he had resigned from Sentebale, saying he and Seeiso have been “in shock” and “truly heartbroken” to be stepping down.
Harry and Seeiso helped set up Sentebale in Lesotho in 2006 after the son of King Charles III visited the southern African nation throughout his hole 12 months. Sentebale means “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, the native language of Lesotho, Harry mentioned in his assertion about stepping down. Harry travelled to Africa final 12 months to help the group and in December attended an occasion for it in New York.
Harry and Seeiso mentioned that they, too, can be sharing “all of our concerns” with the Charity Fee.
The dispute with Chandauka partly arose round a choice to focus fundraising in Africa, in keeping with the Occasions. There had been earlier reviews of strife inside the group after it moved its operations to Africa, and several other key figures left.
A spokesperson for Sentebale mentioned the charity had carried out a “restructuring” of its board as “confirmation of its strategy to redeploy senior roles to be proximate to most of the team and programs in southern Africa,” The Occasions reported.
However the Occasions reported that the trustees additionally had misplaced belief and confidence in Chandauka. The trustees who stepped down embody Mark Dyer, Harry’s shut pal who first launched him to Seeiso and the nation of Lesotho.
Initially Printed:
