Not every child has the opportunity to grow up as part of a family, which is regarded as the optimum form of child care. Adoption, however, provides a child with the opportunity to have a family. When adoption does occur, the most important aspect is that it should be in the best interests of the child. In this article the author examines statutory adoption in Botswana and whether it serves the best interests of the child. Statutory adoptions were introduced in Botswana by the Adoption of Children Act 54 which has regulated adoption since its promulgation in 1952, and remains the first and only piece of legislation regulating the statutory adoption of children in the country. The article provides evidence that current statutory adoption procedures do not necessarily serve the best interests of the child. The aspects of this Act which jeopardize the best interests of the child are discussed, viz. adoption orders, qualifications for adoption of children, permission to visit an adopted child, inheritance rights, non-removal of an adopted child from Botswana, and the (lack of) involvement of a social worker. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
