Nerissa Naidu Resigns as Sentebale Crisis Deepens

Sentebale’s leadership woes continue to mount, with trustee Nerissa Naidu quietly stepping down—marking yet another blow to Sophie Chandauka’s leadership. Her resignation, confirmed this week, follows a string of exits and deepening questions about Sentebale’s governance under its embattled chair, Chandauka. As the charity faces regulatory scrutiny and public distrust, Naidu’s departure signals that the internal unrest shows no signs of easing.

Nerissa Naidu’s Exit Marks Another Setback

Nerissa Naidu’s decision to leave Sentebale comes at a pivotal moment. Officially listed as a trustee just weeks ago, Naidu has now resigned amid intensifying concerns about the charity’s leadership and direction. Her exit follows the abrupt resignation of Dr. Margaret Ikpoh earlier this month, who left the board after just six days.

A charity’s quorum is usually set by its governing document, but the Charity Commission generally expects at least two or three trustees. If no specific rule exists, a minimum of two trustees is typically required to make decisions.

Naidu’s resignation adds to the growing perception that Sentebale’s board is anything but stable under Chandauka’s watch. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, along with five trustees, resigned from Sentebale in March after calling for Sophie Chandauka to step down, citing her leadership as untenable. With board members leaving almost as quickly as they arrive, the charity’s leadership crisis deepens, raising fresh doubts about Sentebale’s future.

Related | Dr Margaret Ikpoh Quits Sentebale After Just Six Days

Leadership Turmoil Shows No Sign of Slowing Down

Dr. Chandauka, who took over as chair in mid-2023, has presided over what many now see as an unraveling operation. Former trustees accuse her of acting dictatorial and making questionable financial decisions without full board approval. Chandauka has fired back by filing complaints with the Charity Commission, alleging poor governance practices under the previous leadership and bullying.

The UK’s Charity Commission has already opened a compliance case into Sentebale’s operations. Meanwhile, public confidence in the organization’s mission to support children and young people affected by HIV in Southern Africa continues to erode.

Related | Why Sophie Chandauka Must Step Down from Sentebale

Rawlinson’s Consultancy Payments Raise Eyebrows

As Naidu steps away, questions swirl around the financial dealings of Sentebale’s remaining trustees—particularly Iain Rawlinson. According to reports, Rawlinson was paid £24,000 for consultancy work and is said to be owed an additional £66,000, though no invoice has been filed. Additionally, Global Philanthropic, where Rawlinson previously served as director and chair, billed Sentebale £21,000 for a “strategy envisioning” project in Autumn 2023.

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The lack of clarity around these payments, coupled with Rawlinson’s ongoing role at the charity, has fueled growing concerns about conflicts of interest and financial mismanagement at Sentebale.

Once a beacon of hope for vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana, Sentebale now finds itself mired in reputational damage. Each trustee resignation chips away at Chandauka’s leadership. As Nerissa Naidu joins the growing list of departures, Chandauka faces a stark reality: unless she restores transparency and governance, the damage may soon be irreversible.