ADOPTION: A BEACON OF HOPE

Cuma Pantshwa 

Our nation’s founding father, Tata Nelson Mandela, recognised children as the most vulnerable members of society, underscoring our shared responsibility to protect and care for them when he said, “Children are the most vulnerable citizens of our society, and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.” As the world commemorates World Adoption Day today, the Department of Social Development joins the international community in promoting adoption as a vital solution for orphans and vulnerable children.

Children in South Africa live in a society underpinned by a Constitution that places the highest value on their rights, as well as on the equality and dignity of all. Yet, many still face homelessness, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Heartbreakingly, abandoned children continue to be found on streets, rubbish heaps, or, as recently reported in the Free State, even inside a deep freezer. These challenges stem from complex issues such as poverty, unemployment, unplanned teenage pregnancies, the loss of parents or caregivers due to HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. As of January 2024, there were 18,179 children in 435 registered Child and Youth Care Centres across South Africa.

Observed globally on 9 November, World Adoption Day highlights the importance of providing children in need with a nurturing family environment. This year’s theme, “A Child’s Right to Family: Adoption, the Best Option,” emphasises the role of adoption in creating a stable, loving home for vulnerable children. “Adoption offers a lifeline and has long been regarded as the most effective way of providing a permanent family life for children who would otherwise be deprived of one,” said Ms Rosina Mnisi, from the Directorate of Adoptions and ISS at the Department of Social Development (DSD).

The care of abandoned children is governed by the Children’s Act No. 38 of 2005, implemented in 2010, which has helped countless children find “forever families” through adoption. This critical child protection tool ensures children are nurtured in safe, supportive environments, with lasting relationships. According to DSD, from 2018 to April 2024, 5,566 national adoptions were registered, with 1,137 adoptions occurring within South African borders in the 2022/23 financial year alone.

Ms Mnisi highlighted the need to raise public understanding of adoption services, noting that, “Awareness campaigns are crucial to increasing the number of adoptions. The department will continue to raise public awareness and educate people about adoption services by encouraging parents, families, and communities to adopt children. We are also committed to addressing the barriers that prevent people from adopting children.”

She added, “We express sincere gratitude to the families who have opened their hearts and homes to vulnerable children in need of love, care, and stability. For those currently on the path to adoption, social workers are available to offer guidance and support throughout the application process.”

This year’s World Adoption Day celebration, held on 9 November, honours families who have grown through adoption, with several sharing their personal stories to inspire others. In the Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of North West Province, a community initiative is underway where the Department of Social Development is providing education on adoption services, readiness assessments, and success stories, empowering the community with knowledge and understanding about the adoption journey.