Responsible CitizenshipThe term citizenship comes from the word citizen which means a person who is accepted as a member and who belongs to a certain country.
The Meaning of Citizen and Citizenship
Explain the meaning of citizen and citizenship
In Tanzania a person cannot be a citizen of more than one country. Therefore, citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular country. A responsible citizen is one who fulfills the duties and responsibilities of a citizen in his country.
Types and the Importance of Citizenship
Explain types and the importance of citizenship
There are three main types of citizenship - by birth, naturalization registration or by descent.
This is the type of citizenship that most citizens have in a given country. It means, a person has citizenship status simply by being born to parents who are citizens of that country. It is sometimes known as natural citizenship.
A copy of birth certificate
Citizenship by naturalization/registration
This involves applying to the ministry responsible for granting citizenship status. This is given to those who have been positively accepted by the concerned ministry. For instance, if a non-citizen wishes to become a Tanzanian citizen he or she can apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs for citizenship.
The registration and naturalization, application process
Citizenship by registration is granted directly in Tanzania to any female applicant who is married to a Tanzanian, no matter whether she is from a Commonwealth or non-Commonwealth country. Any citizen of a Commonwealth country may also apply for citizenship by registration. People from non-Commonwealth countries may also apply for citizenship. In order for citizenship to be granted, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Has legally lived in the country for no less than five years continuously.
- Able to speak Kiswahili and/or English fluently.
- Well behaved i.e. not found engaging in criminal behaviour.
- Make an oath denouncing his or her previous citizenship.
- Promise to be a good citizen and to be loyal to the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.
A person who was born outside the country, but whose parents are citizens of Tanzania by birth or naturalization, can also apply for citizenship to the minister of Home Affairs.
Loss of citizenship in Tanzania
In Tanzania one can lose citizenship status on three grounds;
- If a Tanzanian citizen holds dual nationality; that is, if is a Tanzanian citizen at the same time a member of another country or other countries.
- If one denounces his/her Tanzanian citizenship.
- If one obtained his/her citizenship by fraud. Note: There are some cases where a person can be a citizen of two countries (dual citizenship). In Tanzania, this is not applied to date, but there is a move to dual citizenship in Tanzania.
To many people, duty and responsibility are two words which are used interchangeably most of the time. Duty simply means a legal or moral obligation of a person to perform certain legal tasks. On the other hand, responsibility is the situation of having a duty and be blamed if one does wrong. Therefore, all citizens have duties and responsibilities to perform in their country
The Responsibilities of a Citizen
Explain the responsibilities of a citizen
These responsibilities are also called civic responsibilities. They can be put into four categories — personal, political, social and economic.
Personal Responsibility - A person can be considered a good citizen if one: behaves in a respectful manner; takes care of oneself; makes worth-fully decisions; considers the rights, freedom and interests of others and supports the family.
Political responsibilities - A good citizen should participate fully in the political affairs of his/her nation like being well informed on local, national and international issues. Also should watch and give opinions on the process of government and its activities. The one who is registered, contests for leadership and vote in every local or national election; participating in political meetings like public rallies and local meetings to discuss local issues and being ready to defend one’s nation, even to the extent of shedding blood.
Social responsibilities -These rights are not limited to the following: respect for other people’s rights, good conduct on crimes prevention and reporting. Respect the laws of the country, be honest, civility and allegiance to the lawful authority, protect the environment, safeguard public property, promote education, health services and help disabled people.
Economic responsibilities -These responsibilities include: payment of taxes and duties; doing lawful productive work; provide to dependents basic material and social services and be active participant in community development activities
Civic Responsibilities
Practice civic responsibilities
The Term Special Groups
Define the term special groups
People with special needs: These are people who are disadvantaged/disabled. They are unable to fulfill their civil responsibilities therefore; they need special attention from able-bodied people. Special groups are people with unusual problems that need special care and treatment in the society. The following are some of the special groups:
Special Needs for Each Special Group
Identify special needs for each special group
Victims of HIV/AIDS: these are people who are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks the white blood cells, which protect the human body from infections and diseases, like acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). These people have special problems because the disease has no vaccination and cure. They live in fear and are stigmatized by some members of the society. Some of them are too sick to work and cannot afford to meet their basic needs.
Women: they too have special problems because they are underprivileged, oppressed, exploited and treated differently from men, simply because “they are women”. They at times suffer from rape, female genital mutilation and forced marriages, and they are not allowed to inherit or own property. In addition, girls’ enrollment in schools is very low compared to boys. All these practices are socially constructed.
Disabled people/handicapped: these are people with reduced function of particular body organ(s) and, therefore, they are limited in what they can do, although, they can do some tasks that are within their abilities. They are sometimes stigmatised by the society. In most cases, they are unable to meet their basic needs.
Refugees: these are people who are forced to leave their homeland and live in other places. This forced migration can be due to various social or political problems like war, drought or famine. Tanzania has received refugees from Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Refugees lack houses, nutritious food, social services like education and health, and they suffer from loneliness due to family disintegration.
Orphans: these are children who have no parents. They lack parental care and love. They can neither afford to meet their basic needs nor have access to social services, like education and health.
The youth: these are young people who are not yet adults. They suffer from problems related to their physiological and mental growth. Girls, sometimes, suffer from early marriages and pregnancies while some boys abuse drugs, smoke bhang/cigarettes or join bad groups.
Children: these are human beings who are below eighteen years of age. They are unable to support themselves in terms of all their basic and social needs. So they need special attention from parents and the entire community in order for them to survive.
Street children: these are disadvantaged children who are forced to live a miserable life in the streets due to various problems such as poverty, family disintegration, and the influence of bad youth groups, like those involved in drug abuse. Sometimes these children engage in unlawful acts, such as, prostitution, stealing, child labour, begging and petty. Business so as to earn a living.
Elderly people (the aged): because of their age, they are physically unfit to work effectively and earn a living. Therefore, they need assistance from the able-bodied people.
Responsibilities Towards Special Group
Point out his/her responsibilities towards special group
As discussed above, each special group has a wide range of problems. They need special assistance to provide for their physical, biological, social and moral needs.
They need special attention because of their disabilities, like when crossing roads, bicycles for the disabled, holding their hands, etc. However, these needs differ from one special group to another. It is, therefore, the responsibility of citizens to help each special group.
Activity 2
Visit the nearby Centre for special group:
- What special group is that Centre for?
- What are their responsibilities?
- How can you help those special groups?
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