Prince Harry will be leading a philanthropic initiative in Southern Africa, focusing on fostering prosperity in the region, particularly for young people. His charity organization, Sentebale, will bring together business leaders and philanthropists in Lesotho and Johannesburg to discuss solutions to the current barriers that prevent young people from succeeding in the region. This initiative marks Harry’s first visit to Southern Africa since 2019, where he has long been dedicated to philanthropic work in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. The leaders will work with local organizations and companies to address issues such as health, wealth inequality, and climate that impact youth in the region.
Sentebale, co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006, initially focused on helping children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. However, the organization has now expanded its efforts to address broader challenges faced by youth in the region. The organization’s name, meaning ‘forget-me-not’ in the Sesotho language, pays tribute to the princes’ late mothers. The upcoming gathering in Southern Africa will include private work sessions, a panel discussion, and a site visit to Lesotho’s “mountain kingdom” to engage with local communities and organizations actively working on solutions for young people.
Harry expressed in a news release that Sentebale has developed a deep understanding of the local youth’s passions, concerns, and creativity through their extensive work in the region over the years. He emphasized the significant barriers that still hinder young people in Southern Africa from driving meaningful change and highlighted the organization’s upcoming 20th anniversary. Sentebale Board Chair, Sophie Chandauka, pointed out that over 50% of young people in the region are at risk of remaining economically vulnerable without urgent investment in digital skills, education, and job creation. The Duke’s collaboration with American partners in this initiative is expected to bring global expertise and resources to support the critical youth cohort in Southern Africa.
The announcement of this new initiative follows Prince Harry’s recent participation in several humanitarian and philanthropic events during the United Nations General Assembly Week. The focus on fostering prosperity for young people in Southern Africa demonstrates Harry’s ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the region and honoring his late mother’s legacy. By partnering with world-class organizations, local leadership, and American allies, Sentebale aims to address the complex challenges facing youth in the region and empower them to overcome obstacles to success. The upcoming meetings and discussions in Lesotho and Johannesburg will provide a platform for innovative solutions to be developed and implemented, ultimately creating opportunities for young people to thrive and contribute to their communities.
