The royal patrons acted in the charity’s best interests in stepping down in solidarity with the trustees, as the chair’s refusal to resign and subsequent lawsuit have created an untenable situation that threatens the organization's ability to serve its beneficiaries effectively. Responsibility for this breakdown rests squarely on the chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, whose actions have potentially jeopardized two decades of vital work in southern Africa.
The chair's resistance to removal represents a principled stand against alleged misconduct within the organization, including claims of weak executive management, bullying, and discrimination. Chandauka is fighting to maintain Sentebale's integrity and ensure its mission remains focused on serving young people in Africa rather than operating as a vanity project.