In June, we published an article titled ‘Why Sophie Chandauka Must Step Down from Sentebale‘; the conclusion was clear: Sophie Chandauka’s position as chair has become untenable. The founders had walked away, trustees had resigned, and donors are voicing alarm. At the time, the call for her resignation was urgent. Now, the crisis has not eased; it has deepened. The new Charity Commission statement, escalating public outrage, and the looming threat of financial collapse have turned what began as a governance dispute into a fight for the charity’s very survival.

Charity Commission Findings Prompt Clarification From Sentebale

Barrister Rupert Myers’ tweet, claiming that the Charity Commission had “cleared” Prince Harry and that Chandauka could remain as Chair, echoed public perception of the dispute and raised the question of why Chandauka is remaining in the role.

His tweet prompted a reply from Sentebale’s official X account, which issued a clarification stating that while the Charity Commission had not found evidence of widespread bullying, it acknowledged a strong perception of mistreatment among several parties. The charity stressed that the Commission does not investigate or rule on individual allegations, such as bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misogynoir, and made no findings against any individual, including Prince Harry, noting that other channels could address such matters.

We do not know who was operating the charity’s account at the time, though there are strong speculations as to who it may have been—hint hint, our guess is perhaps the person who loves to brandish a doctorate title that was not earned through years of study in business, but rather bestowed as an honorary distinction.

A Sentebale source would later tell Sky News that the charity has written to the Charity Commission, urging it to make clear on the record that individual allegations of bullying were neither investigated nor addressed in its report. This follows the Commission’s statement that, based on the evidence reviewed, it found no indication of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir, within the organisation.

Allegedly, sources at Sentebale say reports claiming Prince Harry was cleared of bullying are inaccurate, noting the Charity Commission did not examine the allegations made by Chandauka, including those she raised in an infamous Sky News interview.

Sentebale Messaging Under Chandauka Faces Scrutiny

A source close to Prince Harry and the former board of trustees criticised Sophie Chandauka’s shifting stance, noting that she praised the Charity Commission’s findings one day, yet returned to making accusations after unfavourable headlines. The source said her latest statement echoed the regulator’s warning about using the media to air internal disputes and accused her of recycling unproven claims of bullying and misogyny, which the Commission found no evidence to support. They added that if Chandauka truly had concerns, she should state them plainly or focus on fundraising for the children Sentebale exists to support.

These observations by Prince Harry and the former board of trustees are accurate. The striking contradiction in the charity’s communications is plain for all to see. On August 6, Sentebale’s official channels celebrated the conclusion of the Charity Commission’s case, thanking long-standing partners and highlighting the organisation’s resilience under Chandauka’s leadership.

  • Statement from Dr. Sophie Chandauka thanking the Charity Commission, criticising former board members, and calling for support as Sentebale moves forward.
  • Sentebale’s official X post announcing the closure of the Charity Commission compliance case, featuring remarks from Executive Director Carmel Gaillard.

Yet, in the same breath, the charity issued a public clarification stressing that the Commission had not investigated individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misogynoir, and therefore had made no findings against any individual, including Prince Harry.

She publicly embraced the Commission’s findings while emphasising what it did not investigate, prompting questions about whether she aimed to reassure supporters or shape public perception in the ongoing internal dispute.

Financial Fallout And Donor Exodus

Sentebale’s 2023 annual report shows just how precarious its position now is. Despite online claims from Chandauka’s new supporters that her family were the charity’s second-largest donors, the facts tell a different story. Sentebale’s most recent accounts show that nearly half of its income, 47.3%, came from events, while 33.4% came from institutional funding. Both sources now face serious risk, directly undermining the narrative her supporters push to weaponise Chandauka against the Sussexes.

With the founders gone, patrons stepping back, and donor confidence collapsing, supporters say major funders “won’t touch” the charity under its current leadership.

Event income is already under pressure. The charity’s signature polo fundraiser, once a cornerstone of its calendar, is unlikely to proceed without the founders’ involvement. Institutional grants rely on trust and governance stability, two things Sentebale no longer has. If these income streams collapse, more than 80% of the charity’s funding could vanish, putting essential programmes at risk. This threat comes at a time when Lesotho’s garment industry is being pushed to the brink by Trump’s tariffs and foreign aid cuts, meaning Chandauka’s actions risk compounding the economic and social harm faced by the very communities Sentebale was created to support.

Public Calls For Resignation Grow Louder

The backlash against Chandauka has intensified. Donors and long-time supporters accuse her of betraying the vision of Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, warning that children in Lesotho will bear the brunt of the charity’s decline. Social media posts call for her resignation so recurring donations can resume. Some echo Prince Harry’s claim of a “hostile takeover” and accuse her of hijacking the charity for personal gain, while others argue she has destroyed its reputation beyond repair.

Her recent public statement further incensed many when she invoked the memories of Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato to defend her leadership, an act critics accuse of weaponising the founders’ late mothers against them in a deeply manipulative way.

Side-by-side comparison of Sentebale’s homepage before and after the leadership fallout. The “before” version features children walking at sunset with the charity’s mission text overlayed. The “after” version shows a close-up of a smiling woman with a bold message: “This week: Talked about? Yes. Distracted? Never. The work continues.” The design shift visually reflects the internal conflict following the board’s resignation and leadership changes.

Sentebale’s own communications show how far the charity has drifted from its mission under Chandauka’s leadership. In April, its website homepage centred on empowering vulnerable children in Southern Africa. Soon after news broke of the mass resignations alongside the founders, the site replaced that message with pointed language about the ongoing dispute, mirroring the combative tone she first used when taking internal grievances to the tabloids. Critics say this shift proves she has turned the charity’s platforms into tools for waging a public relations battle, further eroding trust and underscoring why she must step aside.

Supporters have channelled their frustration into direct action, launching a Change.org petition that calls for Chandauka’s resignation and the reinstatement of Sentebale’s original board.

These are not abstract criticisms. They come from people who have supported Sentebale for years, some since its founding. The anger is both moral and practical, established in the belief that her leadership failure is putting the charity’s mission and the children it serves at risk.

A Pattern Of Leadership Controversies

This is not the first time Chandauka’s leadership has faced serious questions. As reported in June, she left the Black British Business Awards in 2024. Filings showed £387K in negative net assets and £738K in total liabilities, giving a debt ratio of 210%. That chapter raised concerns about her governance approach and accountability.

The behaviour at Sentebale are hard to ignore. From costly consultant hires to mission drift, the red flags have been visible for months. Critics say the warning signs from her BBBA tenure were ignored, and the result is another organisation in crisis under her watch.

A financial report graphic showing that the Black British Business Awards owes over £738,000, more than double its £351,000 in assets, resulting in a debt ratio of 210 percent and net assets of negative £387,000. The graphic includes company details for former director Sophia Tendai Chandauka and a highlighted caption stating, “Debt ratio 210% – BBBA owes more than twice what it owns.”

What’s At Stake Now

Sentebale’s dispute has moved far beyond personal conflict. It now threatens the survival of a charity built to honour two mothers and serve thousands of children living with HIV. If the financial decline continues, programmes will close. The loss will be felt not in boardrooms or on social media, but in the daily lives of vulnerable young people in Lesotho and Botswana.

The choice remains in Chandauka’s hands. She can step aside and allow Sentebale to rebuild, or she can stay and risk presiding over its collapse. For supporters and beneficiaries alike, the stakes could not be higher.

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