The 2026 commemoration of Adoption Month, observed in November, has renewed calls for increased public awareness and more comprehensive information programmes on adoption processes.
One of the key objectives of this global commemoration is to raise awareness of the importance of providing children in foster care with permanent families, while promoting stability, security and a sense of belonging.
Speaking exclusively to Newsnote, Maletlhogonolo Mokataka, an adoption social worker at Child Welfare Rustenburg in the North West, expressed concern about the limited availability of information programmes for prospective adoptive parents, particularly in the province.
“Most members of the public are not adequately informed about the legal processes involved in adopting a child. There is also a lack of understanding when it comes to the differences between adoption and other forms of alternative care, such as foster care and guardianship,” Mokataka explained.
She emphasised that providing communities with adequate information about adoption could significantly benefit children in need of permanent and stable family environments.
“We have so many children who are in need of stability and homes where they can be loved and cared for. We also have many couples who cannot conceive and would love to provide for these children, but lack knowledge about how to navigate the adoption process. Instead, they continue caring for children without obtaining parental rights through the courts,” she added.
Mokataka has called for a collaborative approach between government and the private social welfare sector to strengthen public education and information-sharing initiatives on adoption.
She believes such partnerships could help ensure that more children are placed in safe, stable and loving permanent families.
This year’s Adoption Month is being observed under the theme, “Honouring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds”.
The theme focuses on supporting teenagers in foster care and promoting meaningful, lasting connections that provide them with stability and a sense of belonging.
