Prince Harry speaks on ‘Potential is Waiting’ panel hosted by Sentebale and Lebec
Featuring: Prince Harry, Sophie Chandauka, Alix Lebec, Hector Mujica, Sam Bakhshandehpour, Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier and more!
Potential is Waiting: Sentebale and Lebec host panel on Health, Wealth Inequity, and Climate Challenges Facing Youth in Africa
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale, joined Dr. Sophie Chandauka MBE Chair of Sentebale and Founder and Chair of Nandi Life Sciences; Alix Lebec, Founder and CEO of Lebec, Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity for the Americas at Google.org; and Sam Bakhshandehpour, President, CEO and Board Member of José Andrés Group
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 12, 2024 – Sentebale Co-Founder Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex last night joined an esteemed panel in Miami titled ‘Potential is Waiting’, to discuss solutions across the capital spectrum to meet the next generation in Southern Africa with possibility and action.
Alongside the Duke of Sussex, was an intimate group of U.S.-based philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and impact investors brought together by Sentebale and innovative finance and philanthropy firm Lebec, with the panel including Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity for the Americas at Google.org; Sam Bakhshandehpour, President, CEO and Board Member of José Andrés Group; Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair of Sentebale and Founder and Chair of Nandi Life Sciences; and Alix Lebec, Founder and CEO of Lebec as moderator. The discussion, held at Zaytinya, a José Andrés Group restaurant, centered around how capital can be creatively dispersed to help youth thrive and address critical global challenges – from Miami to Latin America, to Africa, which has the youngest and fastest growing population in the world.
Sentebale was founded in 2006 by the Duke and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho as a response to the needs of children and young people in Lesotho. Sentebale, which expanded into Botswana in 2019, has long operated with young voices at its core; creating sustainable solutions co-created with those the organization serves. Now, the organization is exploring the opportunities to partner with other operators to scale its core programs within Southern Africa, focused on health, wealth creation, climate resilience, and the next generation.
Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair of Sentebale says; “Our youth advocates are just one example of the incredible potential we see in the young people we work with. Within the Let Youth Lead program, they are learning to use their voices on national radio to influence health budget allocation, national policies and to debate critical societal topics that were once taboo. It is important and a huge privilege to connect with such esteemed voices here in the U.S. to discuss how we can collectively support the next generation in solutions for change in the Global South.”
The discussion was made possible through the generous partnership of José Andrés Group, ROAR AFRICA, Morgan Stanley, Community Capital Management, Franklin Templeton, Sage Advisory, and Impax Asset Management.
**In addition to the panel discussion centered around his work with Sentebale, this evening, The Duke of Sussex and longtime Sentebale ambassador Nacho Figueras will play in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge to benefit Sentebale.**
About Sentebale
Sentebale works with children and young people and their communities to create sustainable solutions that address issues of health, wealth inequity, and climate resilience in the Southern African countries of Lesotho and Botswana.
The organization was founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 as a response to the needs of children and young people in Lesotho and in memory of their late mothers. The name means ‘forget-me-not’ in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable children in the region.
Over the last eighteen years, Sentebale has developed solutions informed by children, their caregivers and the young people the organization serves, to address both systemic issues and individual needs of the moment. This work includes providing and enabling the care of young people living with HIV/AIDS, addressing mental health issues, career exploration and entrepreneurship, critical life skills and advocacy; and offering vocational training and education opportunities. Sentebale’s work has recently expanded into the regeneration of landscapes to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change on the natural resources that communities rely on.
PRINCE HARRY, THE DUKE OF SUSSEX PLAYS IN THE ROYAL SALUTE POLO CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT SENTEBALE
WELLINGTON, FL; 12 APRIL 2024: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale played at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida in support of Sentebale’s work with children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana. Playing for the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, the Duke and his teammates took home the win. The Duke scored a goal, taking the ball out of the air, his team winning 3-1 against the Grand Champions team. This marks the first time The Duke has played in Wellington since 2016.
Excited crowds cheered on the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, captained by Malcolm Borwick as they took on the Grand Champions Polo Club Team, captained by Sentebale Ambassador and long-time friend Nacho Figueras in a fast-paced game. MVP of the game was long time supporter, and Maseru team captain Steve Cox, and best playing pony was Sarah Jessica rode by Nacho Figueras.
Just under 300 guests attended the event, including Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, and special guests of sponsors and Sentebale. As part of the program, The Duke moderated a fireside chat with Sentebale’s Board Chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, and Ntoli Moletsane, Sentebale’s Lesotho-based Country Director who has been with the organization for 14 years, as they discussed the future ambitions for Sentebale, and the ongoing challenges for children and young people in the southern African country.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale said, “Bringing together the polo community that has long supported the work of Sentebale is always a great experience. Today, we raised funds to support our local teams on the ground deliver life changing programs. The Sentebale team’s commitment plays an essential role in the lives of children and young people across Lesotho and Botswana, offering them hope, education and the means to combat the complex social challenges they face including high unemployment, poverty and the impact of HIV/AIDS. We are grateful to all of the guests, sponsors and partners who came together today to support this important work, and of course a huge thank you to all the players for making today’s game possible.”
Nacho Figueras, Sentebale’s Ambassador said, “Playing alongside my friend Prince Harry in support of Sentebale continues to be a profound honour. In this case it’s more than just a game; it’s a shared commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those in need. Through our partnership on the field, our mission is to raise awareness and support for Sentebale’s vital work.”
Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Chair of Sentebale adds, “We are two years away from celebrating this extraordinary organization’s 20th Anniversary, and the welcoming support we get from every community we hold our fundraising events in continues to showcase that the work we’re doing matters to people and to our partners like Royal Salute. There is no one this support matters more to than the children and young people who benefit from our programmes, and who’s potential is turned into the possibility of a future that means successfully navigating the challenges of poverty and inequity.”
The funds raised from this year’s Royal Salute Polo Challenge are essential to the ongoing programming in Lesotho and Botswana led by Sentebale’s talented local team.
Sentebale’s holistic package of support for vulnerable children and young people focusses on four key areas:
- Strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of those living with or affected by HIV.
- Working with communities to provide young people with access to health and social services.
- Driving youth advocacy to improve health, education, and social protection.
Building individuals skills and livelihoods so they are more resilient, self-confident and empowered members of their communities.
Most recently, Sentebale has expanded into the regeneration of landscapes to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change on the natural resources that communities rely on for survival. This layered approach is supporting positive health outcomes, increasing access to education and services, improving overall livelihoods, and is nurturing children and young people reach their full potential.
Sentebale is enormously grateful to all the players and partners for their support in making this year’s event possible including, Royal Salute, U.S. Polo Assn, the Grand Champions Polo Club and the Ganzi Family, Four Seasons, and The Cox Family of Oklahoma.
For more information about Sentebale’s work please visit www.sentebale.org.
