Social Development
In respect of the number of orphans and child-headed households in the province:
- (a) (i) the total number of orphans currently recorded in the province. (ii) What is the breakdown per municipality and (b) what methodology does his Department use to identify and classify orphans who may not be captured through formal reporting systems?
- (a) what is the (i) total number of child-headed households in the province and (ii) breakdown per municipality, (b)(i) what are the ages of the (i) household heads and (ii) children in each household and (c) what criteria are used by his Department to recognise a household formally as child-headed;
- (a) how many (i) orphans and (ii) child-headed households have been identified in (aa) 2019, (bb) 2020, (cc) 2021, (dd) 2022, (ee) 2023, (ff) 2024, (gg) 2025 and (hh) 2026 to date and (b)(i) what percentage of these households receive ongoing support services and (ii) what services are provided to these households?
(1)(a)(i) The Stats SA General Household Survey 2024 recorded 22 000 double orphans in the Western Cape Province. The Department’s own child protection database maintains statistics for children found to be in need of care and protection, which includes orphans and children who have become vulnerable due to abandonment, abuse and/or neglect. Data on orphans is not kept separately in this database.
(ii) Statistics on orphaned children are not tracked separately from all other children in need of care and protection. Municipal breakdowns are therefore not available.
(b) Vulnerable children, including orphans, are primarily identified through:
- statutory and prevention services rendered by departmental and funded social workers;
- referrals from schools, health facilities and community organisations;
- outreach services implemented by funded Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs); and
- assessments conducted when children come into contact with the child protection system.
- Identification and classification are undertaken through individual case assessments in line with the Children’s Act 38 of 2005.
(2)(a)(i) The number of households classified as child-headed in the province is currently 15.
(ii) A breakdown per municipality: 6 in Metro North; 5 in Metro South; 1 in Eden Karoo and 3 in the Cape Winelands/Overberg Region.
(b)(i) Between 16 and 17 years old.
(c) Where child-headed households are identified, the Department applies the criteria contained in the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. In general terms, a household is recognized as child-headed where:
- Parents or primary caregivers are deceased, absent, or unable to provide care;
- No adult family member is available to provide care; and
- A child assumes the role of caregiver and head of the household.
- Social workers assess these households and determine appropriate protective and support interventions.
(3)(a)(i) Statistical data on orphans is not collected every year, but data is available as:
2020: 43 000 double orphans in the Western Cape
2022: 37 000 double orphans in the Western Cape
2024: 22 000 double orphans in the Western Cape
Data for child-headed households is available for the following years:
2023: 21
2024: 16
2025/26: 15
(b)(i) All the child-headed households identified by the Department receive community-based support services.
(ii) Identified vulnerable children and child-headed households receive support services through the Department and funded NPOs, including:
- Psychosocial support and counselling.
- Family preservation and reunification services.
- Referrals for social assistance administered by the South African Social Security Agency.
- Statutory interventions and placement in alternative care where necessary; and
- Referrals to education, health, and community-based support services.
