The
term citizenship comes from the word citizen which means a person who
is accepted as a member and who belongs to a certain country.
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
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.
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
There are three main types of citizenship – by birth, naturalization registration or by descent.
Citizenship by birth
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.
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.
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:
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 behavedi.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.
Citizenship by descent
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.
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.
Importance of citizenship
Citizenship
is important as a citizens receive legal rights for being a member to a
certain country, and is protected as a citizen of that country. It is
also the legal way of being recognized as a person belonging to a
particular country, and the country receives loyalty from its citizens.
is important as a citizens receive legal rights for being a member to a
certain country, and is protected as a citizen of that country. It is
also the legal way of being recognized as a person belonging to a
particular country, and the country receives loyalty from its citizens.
Additionally
a person gains legitimacy to involve in decisions in the country; for
instance, citizens vote for leaders or can be voted for as leaders. A
country can also impose its authority upon its citizens to carry out its
policies for the development of the nation. Finally, a country gets
revenue from its citizens through taxes paid by them.
a person gains legitimacy to involve in decisions in the country; for
instance, citizens vote for leaders or can be voted for as leaders. A
country can also impose its authority upon its citizens to carry out its
policies for the development of the nation. Finally, a country gets
revenue from its citizens through taxes paid by them.
Activity 1
1. Ask your fellow students, what is theircitizenship? 2. What is your citizenship?
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:
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
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.
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.
Figure, HIV/AIDS patient
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’ enrolment in schools is very low
compared to boys. All these practices are socially constructed.
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’ enrolment 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Responsibilities of citizens to the disabled
The
responsibilities of citizens to the disabled are that: Citizens should
encourage and help the disabled to consider themselves as normal
citizens and thus participate in different social and economic
activities in the society. Such activities may be running a petty
business, farming or looking after domestic animals, depending on the
nature of their disability. They should also never discriminate disabled
people in schools, workplaces and in the society in general.
responsibilities of citizens to the disabled are that: Citizens should
encourage and help the disabled to consider themselves as normal
citizens and thus participate in different social and economic
activities in the society. Such activities may be running a petty
business, farming or looking after domestic animals, depending on the
nature of their disability. They should also never discriminate disabled
people in schools, workplaces and in the society in general.
The
disabled should be assisted to get basic needs like food, clothing and
housing. Citizens living near or with such people should assist them in
that way. Citizens should also help the disabled to establish special
centers where they can meet and share ideas and undertake joint economic
activities. This will reduce their loneliness while at the same time
making them productive as a group.
disabled should be assisted to get basic needs like food, clothing and
housing. Citizens living near or with such people should assist them in
that way. Citizens should also help the disabled to establish special
centers where they can meet and share ideas and undertake joint economic
activities. This will reduce their loneliness while at the same time
making them productive as a group.
Group of people with special needs
Moreover,
citizens should help the disabled to form their own associations that
will fight for their rights. They should ensure that the disabled have
access to social services like education, health services, water,
housing and electricity.
citizens should help the disabled to form their own associations that
will fight for their rights. They should ensure that the disabled have
access to social services like education, health services, water,
housing and electricity.
Responsibilities of citizens to refugees
Citizens
are responsible to refugees by providing humanitarian assistance.
Basically this involves giving them food, clothing and shelter. They
must also provide them with basic social services, like water, medical
care and education for their children.
are responsible to refugees by providing humanitarian assistance.
Basically this involves giving them food, clothing and shelter. They
must also provide them with basic social services, like water, medical
care and education for their children.
They
are supposed to ask refugees to refrain from any unlawful acts
(offences) like banditry, smuggling, keeping weapons and ammunition,
rape and even unlawful correspondence with their home countries.
Citizens need also to prevent refugees from destroying the environment.
This involves preventing them from clearing forests for firewood or
practice sing poor farming methods.
are supposed to ask refugees to refrain from any unlawful acts
(offences) like banditry, smuggling, keeping weapons and ammunition,
rape and even unlawful correspondence with their home countries.
Citizens need also to prevent refugees from destroying the environment.
This involves preventing them from clearing forests for firewood or
practice sing poor farming methods.
Finally,
citizens are responsible to co-operate with the government and
non-governmental organisations, including the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), in taking care of refugees until when
they are ready to go back to their home-country
citizens are responsible to co-operate with the government and
non-governmental organisations, including the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), in taking care of refugees until when
they are ready to go back to their home-country
Responsibilities of citizens to HIV/IDS victims
Citizens
are responsible to advise and help the HIV/AIDS victims to receive
counselling and guidance from professional counselors. Also, citizens
are responsible to advise and assist them to attend clinics in various
medical centers.
are responsible to advise and help the HIV/AIDS victims to receive
counselling and guidance from professional counselors. Also, citizens
are responsible to advise and assist them to attend clinics in various
medical centers.
In
addition, they are not supposed to isolate or stigmatize them, rather
show them love, concern and encourage them to have hope. This is because
to be infected with HIV does not mean that one will die soon. They
should also take trouble to support the victims financially so that they
can get the required diet. Finally, citizens are responsible to visit
their homes and give them company and other things to reduce their
boredom and sense of loneliness.
addition, they are not supposed to isolate or stigmatize them, rather
show them love, concern and encourage them to have hope. This is because
to be infected with HIV does not mean that one will die soon. They
should also take trouble to support the victims financially so that they
can get the required diet. Finally, citizens are responsible to visit
their homes and give them company and other things to reduce their
boredom and sense of loneliness.
Responsibilities of citizens to women
Citizens
are responsible to protect women through abolishing bad traditions and
customs that oppress and exploit women in the society, such as FGM,
beating women, early marriages, forced marriages, polygamy, and the
inheritance of widows, laws forbidding women from inheriting property,
denial of equal educational opportunities for girls. They are also
responsible for helping women to form co-operative groups which can seek
funds from the government or NGOs to engage in meaningful and
productive activities.
are responsible to protect women through abolishing bad traditions and
customs that oppress and exploit women in the society, such as FGM,
beating women, early marriages, forced marriages, polygamy, and the
inheritance of widows, laws forbidding women from inheriting property,
denial of equal educational opportunities for girls. They are also
responsible for helping women to form co-operative groups which can seek
funds from the government or NGOs to engage in meaningful and
productive activities.
Citizens
need to ask the government to provide women with better transport and
communication systems, clean and safe water and health services. Women
should be educated so that they can realize their rights in the society,
hence, promote equality between men and women in education, politics,
employment, division of labor in the family, and even in religious
institutions.
need to ask the government to provide women with better transport and
communication systems, clean and safe water and health services. Women
should be educated so that they can realize their rights in the society,
hence, promote equality between men and women in education, politics,
employment, division of labor in the family, and even in religious
institutions.
Responsibilities of society to the aged
As
the number of old people increases in Tanzania, our society ought to
help them. This can be through buying them foodstuffs or showing them
how they can grow some of the food crops near their homes. Also citizens
are supposed to provide them with comfortable clothing and bedding so
as to keep their bodies warm, especially at night.
the number of old people increases in Tanzania, our society ought to
help them. This can be through buying them foodstuffs or showing them
how they can grow some of the food crops near their homes. Also citizens
are supposed to provide them with comfortable clothing and bedding so
as to keep their bodies warm, especially at night.
They
need to involve the aged in organisations where they can share views
with other people. This helps them to reduce loneliness, hence, stay
mentally active. They are also responsible to assist them in getting
medical care and train them to refrain from unhealthy habits like
smoking.
need to involve the aged in organisations where they can share views
with other people. This helps them to reduce loneliness, hence, stay
mentally active. They are also responsible to assist them in getting
medical care and train them to refrain from unhealthy habits like
smoking.
They
are responsible to help the aged remain physically fit by educating
them on the importance of undertaking physical exercise like walking,
gardening, cycling and swimming.
are responsible to help the aged remain physically fit by educating
them on the importance of undertaking physical exercise like walking,
gardening, cycling and swimming.
Citizens
are supposed to love them and give them encouragement so that, despite
their problems, they may still have hope for a better life. We should
show them that they are still valued despite their old age. Finally, if
possible for old homes, new homes should be built for the aged,
especially those who have no family members to take care of them.
are supposed to love them and give them encouragement so that, despite
their problems, they may still have hope for a better life. We should
show them that they are still valued despite their old age. Finally, if
possible for old homes, new homes should be built for the aged,
especially those who have no family members to take care of them.
Responsibilities of the society to street children
Citizens
ought to help street children through showing them love and hospitality
by giving them parental care and trying to adopt some of them so as to
assist them closely. They are also needed to provide them with the basic
necessities, like food, clothing and shelter.
ought to help street children through showing them love and hospitality
by giving them parental care and trying to adopt some of them so as to
assist them closely. They are also needed to provide them with the basic
necessities, like food, clothing and shelter.
Charities
and religious organisations should assist street children by giving
them good moral guidance and even supporting them materially. Joining or
forming organisations aimed at supporting street children morally and
materially.
and religious organisations should assist street children by giving
them good moral guidance and even supporting them materially. Joining or
forming organisations aimed at supporting street children morally and
materially.
Responsibilities of citizens to the youth
Some
of the responsibilities of citizens to the youth are to ask the
government to change the traditional trend of our educational system so
that it teaches the youth how to employ themselves instead of educating
them for white-collar jobs only.
of the responsibilities of citizens to the youth are to ask the
government to change the traditional trend of our educational system so
that it teaches the youth how to employ themselves instead of educating
them for white-collar jobs only.
Citizens
are also supposed to ask the government to increase the opportunities
for secondary, technical and tertiary education. To expand and
strengthen the informal sector through co-operation with the government
so that it provides more employment.
are also supposed to ask the government to increase the opportunities
for secondary, technical and tertiary education. To expand and
strengthen the informal sector through co-operation with the government
so that it provides more employment.
Furthermore,
citizens are supposed to help the youth to initiate cooperative
economic activities like carpentry or gardening. Lastly, they need to
assist the youth to take part in sports and games so as to promote
co-operation, love, friendliness and good health among them.
citizens are supposed to help the youth to initiate cooperative
economic activities like carpentry or gardening. Lastly, they need to
assist the youth to take part in sports and games so as to promote
co-operation, love, friendliness and good health among them.
Responsibilities of citizens to orphans
As
stated earlier, orphans get frustrated as they lack parental care and
love. To orphans, citizens ought to provide them with basic assistance
that will help them to go to school. This may involve paying for their
school materials like books, uniforms, bus fare or even meals at school.
stated earlier, orphans get frustrated as they lack parental care and
love. To orphans, citizens ought to provide them with basic assistance
that will help them to go to school. This may involve paying for their
school materials like books, uniforms, bus fare or even meals at school.
Also,
citizens need to provide the orphans with health-care services
including paying for their treatment when they are sick and giving them
medical advice, and providing them with basic social services like food,
clothing and shelter.
citizens need to provide the orphans with health-care services
including paying for their treatment when they are sick and giving them
medical advice, and providing them with basic social services like food,
clothing and shelter.
In
addition, citizens are responsible for showing them love and care,
since these are the things orphans lack most. They need to be adopted
and be given material and moral support.
addition, citizens are responsible for showing them love and care,
since these are the things orphans lack most. They need to be adopted
and be given material and moral support.
Responsibilities of citizens to children
Like
other special groups, children, have many problems. They are unable to
provide themselves with basic needs like food, clothing and shelter.
Also, they cannot afford social services, like education, health, water,
housing and transport. They need love and care from either parents or
guardians.
other special groups, children, have many problems. They are unable to
provide themselves with basic needs like food, clothing and shelter.
Also, they cannot afford social services, like education, health, water,
housing and transport. They need love and care from either parents or
guardians.
Citizens
have the responsibility to ensure that children get education,
especially primary education which is provided free in Tanzania.
Parents, in particular, should send their children to school and make
sure that their attendance at school is good. They need clean and safe
water, health care, and be taught good manners so that they can grow up
to be good citizens in the future.
have the responsibility to ensure that children get education,
especially primary education which is provided free in Tanzania.
Parents, in particular, should send their children to school and make
sure that their attendance at school is good. They need clean and safe
water, health care, and be taught good manners so that they can grow up
to be good citizens in the future.
Children
should not be subjected to child labour or any child abuse. For
example, using of children to fight in wars, for commercial sex work, to
work in quarries and mines or to do lumbering. They should get time to
enjoy playing games and doing sports both at school and in other places
demarcated for such activities.
should not be subjected to child labour or any child abuse. For
example, using of children to fight in wars, for commercial sex work, to
work in quarries and mines or to do lumbering. They should get time to
enjoy playing games and doing sports both at school and in other places
demarcated for such activities.
Children
are supposed to be educated on how to avoid dangerous behaviour like
unsafe sex,abusing drugsand smoking cigarettes and marijuana. Unsafe sex
can lead them to getting infected with HIV/AIDS. They need also to be
taught the importance of hard-work both at school and at home, where
they should assist their parents in some manual work.
are supposed to be educated on how to avoid dangerous behaviour like
unsafe sex,abusing drugsand smoking cigarettes and marijuana. Unsafe sex
can lead them to getting infected with HIV/AIDS. They need also to be
taught the importance of hard-work both at school and at home, where
they should assist their parents in some manual work.
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?
