GEORGE NEWS - Adopting a child with the right intentions gives them a sense of belonging, says a young woman for whom adoption was a lifeline. Noluvu Ludidi from Cape Town says she was two months old when she was adopted. "My adoptive family is the only family I have ever known and ever loved. They have provided me with everything I need and so much more, I couldn't have asked for better."

They also let her keep the name her mother gave her so she may have something to hold on to. "It's something about my culture so that I may still be reminded of who I am and can be proud of the young black woman I am."

For Lulu, as she is called, her adoptive family are a blessing in her life as they have raised her as their own despite the cultural and race differences. "We see ourselves as a true rainbow family," she adds.

She was told from a young age that her biological mother had passed away. Growing up she had silent hopes that her biological family would come search for her, but it never happened. "They did not make much effort to keep me and of course it had left me with a lot of questions that I still don't have the answers to today."

But Lulu is happy with her family because she is loved by them.

She believes everyone deserves a family or circle of people they can trust, and young children need that in their lives.

In Lulu's case, she was also adopted privately but the truth about who she is and her biological family was never withheld from her.

Adoption under threat
The new tabled amendments to the adoption laws could put a stop to children like Lulu being adopted. The amendments state that adoptions would only be done through state social workers. But unfortunately, these social workers are already inundated with work and not trained in the adoption process.

"This would have the effect of putting an end to adoptions in our province altogether as accredited child protection organisations, adoptive social workers, lawyers, psychologists and other associated professionals will not be able to charge for their expertise, not even to reclaim costs," said Western Cape minister of social development, Albert Fritz.

Fritz said the amendments would make it illegal for anyone to charge fees for professional adoptive services, which would put a halt to adoptions in South Africa and abroad.

In Lulu's case, she was also adopted privately but the truth about who she is and her biological family was never withheld from her.

"I have no connection with my biological family and have had thoughts of finding them, but then I asked myself, why - when they never made an effort to find me? If our paths should cross one day I would gladly meet them, but until that day comes I will not place my energy and mind on it, just simply continue with my life."

She believes if she had not been adopted, she would probably have been in a children's home or jumping from one foster home to another.

"Adoption should not be stopped. Period. I am 22 years old and have a voice of my own. However, there are younger people who are in desperate need of families that will have a positive impact on their lives."Noluvu Ludidi believes being adopted changed her life for the better.

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