​On Thursday, 21 November 2024, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), in collaboration with government stakeholders, hosted a heartwarming adoption awareness session at the Albertus Pop Centre in Eldorado Park. Held under the theme "Child's Right to Family: Adoption is the Best Option," the event sought to educate the community about adoption and highlight its life-changing impact on children and families.
 
Speaking at the event, Daphne Naidoo, responsible for Adoption and Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCC), addressed the critical social challenges in the area, including teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, and substance abuse.
 
"World Adoption Day, observed on the 9th of November annually, allows us to join the international community in raising awareness about adoption, celebrating the families who embrace this journey, and supporting those whose lives are touched by it," said Naidoo.
 
She also highlighted the Department's commitment, noting that 127 GDSD officials are registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions to provide adoption services, with 56 directly involved in supporting communities across Gauteng.
 
The event resonated deeply with attendees, thanks to inspiring stories like that of 46-year-old Glisson Niekerk from Eldorado Park, who was adopted as a child.
 
Niekerk shared his story of resilience, recounting how he was taken in by his adoptive mother, who rescued him from a life of neglect.
 
"On the day my adoptive mother took me in, my biological parents were drinking and showed no remorse. She raised me well, and thanks to her, I've travelled to 20 countries," Niekerk said.
 
Today, Niekerk honours the three influential women in his life, his biological mother, adoptive mother, and nanny through symbolic flower tattoos. He has also started an NPO to address unemployment, drug abuse, and teenage pregnancy in his community.
 
World Adoption Day is not just about celebrating families, it is a reminder of the vital role adoption plays in giving children a sense of belonging and stability. With events like these, the Department hopes to encourage more families to consider adoption and break cycles of neglect, ensuring every child's right to a loving home.