STRENGTHENING FAMILIES THROUGH ADOPTION

• Community members gathered at the Vryburg Banquette Hall to celebrate World Adoption Day, sharing powerful stories of how adoption has transformed their lives and strengthened their families and communities.
• Adoption is a cornerstone of South Africa’s child protection laws, as outlined in the Constitution and the Children’s Act of 2005, providing vulnerable children with permanent, stable homes and enhancing their well-being.
• The Department of Social Development, through community dialogues and national advocacy, aims to raise awareness about adoption’s role in child welfare, encouraging more families to consider adoption as a path to building supportive, loving homes for children in need.

Precious Mupenzi

The Vryburg Banquette Hall in Naledi Local Municipality, North West, was filled with community members from across the district, gathering to commemorate World Adoption Day. People from diverse backgrounds shared personal adoption stories, offering words of encouragement and heartfelt testimonies about the power of family. The hall was alive with unity and support for adoptive families, as stories of resilience and love illustrated how adoption strengthens not only individual families but also entire communities. Attendees spoke about the profound impact adoption had on their lives, reinforcing a shared commitment to providing stable, loving homes for children. The spirit of parenthood, unity, and community support radiated through the room, creating an atmosphere of hope and inspiration as people celebrated adoption’s role in shaping the future of vulnerable children.

Adoption is deeply rooted in South Africa’s child protection legislation, reflecting a commitment to every child’s right to family care or appropriate alternative care, as enshrined in Section 28 of the Constitution. The Children’s Act of 2005 reinforces this commitment, recognising adoption as a crucial part of the child protection system, bringing stability and security to vulnerable children. By providing a permanent home, adoption enhances a child’s sense of belonging, well-being, and emotional development, making it one of the most effective long-term care solutions for children who cannot remain with their biological families.

Speaking during the Community Dialogue in Vryburg hosted by the Department of Social Development, Ms Beverly-Ann Esterhuizen, Social Work Supervisor in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, explained, “We currently have five social workers registered with the Council as Adoption Social Workers. So far, we have received ten adoption cases, with five children identified as potential adoptees and five children declared adoptable.” She further noted that while two children have been successfully adopted, the district’s overall adoption rate remains low.

Ms Esterhuizen also acknowledged that while adoption services are expanding, the district faces significant child welfare challenges that demand a comprehensive approach. “In the 2023/2024 financial year, the district recorded 142 cases of child abuse and 299 foster care placements,” she reported. These figures underscore the pressing need for robust child protection services in the region. For many children, foster care provides a temporary safe haven, but adoption remains essential for offering a more stable, long-term environment where children can thrive. This balanced approach—integrating adoption, foster care, and abuse prevention—is crucial for meeting the diverse needs of vulnerable children.

Providing a national perspective, Dr Tebogo Mabe, Acting Chief Director of Children Services at the Department of Social Development, discussed the broader importance of adoption within child protection goals. He emphasised that adoption is not merely a legal arrangement but a transformative way to ensure children grow up in loving, supportive families. “Adoption is more than just a legal process; it is a way to restore a child’s right to grow up within a family, where they can experience love, stability, and guidance. By promoting adoption, we are not only meeting the individual needs of children but also strengthening the fabric of our communities,” said Dr Mabe.

Dr Mabe highlighted the lasting benefits adoption offers to children and communities, empowering them to contribute positively to society. Adoption provides a secure family environment that fosters healthy emotional and social development for children who cannot be reunited with their biological families. His insights at the dialogue in Vryburg encouraged community members to consider adoption as a meaningful path to creating permanent, loving homes for children in need.

As part of World Adoption Day, the Department of Social Development aims to raise awareness of adoption as a vital service and to increase community support for children’s rights to stable, family-centred care.