Adoptions decrease by 52% while foster care grants increase by 72%

The number of orphans in South Africa increased by 29%, from just over 4 million to approximately
5.2 million, between 2005 and 2009. In the same period adoptions decreased by 52%, from 2 840 to
1 368. Foster care grants increased by 72%, from 281 475 to 483 800, according to the South
African Institute of Race Relations.

The trends are based on data from the Department of Social Development and may be attributed to
three main factors.

Firstly, adoptions are not a frequent choice among South Africans. This is particularly true of
Africans. A lot of orphans are looked after by their extended families or family friends in a private,
informal arrangement known as kinship foster care. This type of arrangement is widely practised in
South Africa even though it is not ordered or regulated by any statute or legal body. Statistics South
Africa estimates that 1.4 million children (8%) live in such households.

Secondly, formal foster care comes with a financial incentive. The foster care grant is currently
R770 a month. Many people opt to foster a child rather than adopt one.

Lastly, adoption requires that one be able to provide for the child’s needs, both financially and
otherwise. No financial assistance is provided by the Government. In addition, the adoption process
is a lengthy and demanding one which often acts as a deterrent to prospective parents.

None of this is good news for the increasing number of orphans in the country. The Actuarial
Society of South Africa estimates that by 2015, there will be more than 5.5 million orphans. Some
32% of these will be maternal, 56% paternal, and 12% double orphans.

Sources: Democracy Support Programme, South African Institute of Race Relations