Sentebale names two new trustees as it starts 2030 strategy

By AI, Created 7:48 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Sentebale has appointed two new trustees after drawing more than 400 applicants worldwide and is beginning work on its 2027-2030 strategy in its 20th anniversary year. The charity said it reached more than 35,000 children and young people in the first quarter of 2026 across Lesotho and Botswana as it continues programmes in health, wealth creation and climate resilience.

Why it matters: - Sentebale is entering a new governance and strategy phase while it tries to sustain services for vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana. - The charity’s next plan through 2030 will shape how it expands impact across health, wealth creation and climate resilience. - The organisation is also recalibrating its Botswana operating model for long-term sustainability while keeping services running through existing partnerships.

What happened: - Sentebale appointed Mr Wellington Chimwaradze and Ms Alden Nouga-Ngog to its International Board of Trustees after an international recruitment process attracted more than 400 applications for two voluntary trustee roles. - The appointments come during Sentebale’s 20th anniversary year. - The charity said it has started developing its 2027-2030 strategy. - In the first quarter of 2026, Sentebale reached more than 35,000 children and young people across Lesotho and Botswana.

The details: - Sentebale said it directly served more than 78,000 children and young people in 2025. - The charity’s programmes cover health, wealth creation and climate resilience. - Sentebale delivers those programmes with governments and partners including UNAIDS, UNICEF, the Global Fund, EGPAF and PEPFAR. - Expanded delivery with UNAIDS will scale Sentebale’s Youth Hubs programme in the Mokhotlong district of Lesotho. - A service agreement with the Government of Lesotho and IFAD supports the Regeneration of Landscapes and Livelihoods programme. - Institutional funding support continued through the charity’s transformation phase, with new programme awards extending delivery into 2026 and 2027. - Sentebale operates a lean London-based enabling function, with leadership roles based in Southern Africa to support locally led decision-making and programme delivery. - Mr Chimwaradze has held senior legal and governance roles at Econet Wireless, Barclays, Unilever and AB InBev. - Mr Chimwaradze led cross-border transactions and governance initiatives across Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. - Ms Nouga-Ngog has more than 25 years of international development experience. - Ms Nouga-Ngog has helped raise more than US$600 million for global health and humanitarian programmes across Africa. - The new trustees join Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE, Dr Bhakti Hansoti and Mr Iain Rawlinson on the International Board of Trustees. - Sentebale said the establishment of local boards in Lesotho and Botswana is the next governance priority. - Sentebale works with children and young people aged 0-24 in Lesotho and Botswana. - The name Sentebale means “forget-me-not” in Sesotho.

Between the lines: - The trustee appointments suggest Sentebale is broadening its leadership bench with experience in governance, philanthropy and development as it moves into its next strategic cycle. - The emphasis on locally anchored leadership and local boards points to a push for more in-country decision-making, not just external oversight. - The scaled-up partnership model signals that Sentebale is leaning on institutional collaborators to sustain and grow delivery during a transition period.

What’s next: - Sentebale will continue developing its 2027-2030 strategy. - The charity plans to establish local boards in Lesotho and Botswana alongside the International Board of Trustees. - Sentebale will keep delivering programmes across health, wealth creation and climate resilience through 2026 and 2027. - The organisation will maintain continuity of services in Botswana while it adjusts the operating model for long-term sustainability.

The bottom line: - Sentebale is using its 20th anniversary to reset governance, strengthen local leadership and lock in the next phase of its Southern Africa work.