Adoption
So you've decided you want to adopt a child? Apart from the long waiting list that potential parents must endure there are also number of requirements that you will need to comply with before you will be allowed to legally adopt a child:
Regard for the child's religious and cultural heritage
The law requires potential parents to be of the same cultural and religious background as the child they wish to adopt. The reason that is given for this requirement is that a child must grow up in much the same environment as they would have were he or she to stay with his or her natural parent. So if you want to adopt a child from a different race or cultural group you're going to have to convince the bureaucrats that there's a good reason why you should be allowed to do so despite this requirement. We have found that since the fall of the Apartheid State the authorities are paying less and less attention to this factor because there are quite a number of children from impoverished communities who are in need of good homes who cannot be accommodated within their communities.
2. Financial wherewithal
This is the most obvious requirement - you have to convince the authorities that you have enough money to support your new child and your existing family. They are quite unlikely to let you adopt a child if it means that you will have to move to a poor-house!
3. Be of good character
If you're a convicted car thief and armed robber with a history of violent behaviour you're much less likely to be allowed to adopt a child than if you are a law abiding citizen who regularly pays his or her taxes. Speak to respectable leaders in your community to give you character references attesting to your angelic qualities.
Finally, we suggest that you contact your lawyer who will assist you to draw the necessary papers to smooth your interaction with the Home Affairs bureaucrats.
