{I}.RESPONSIBLE
CITIZENSHIP
Concept of Citizenship
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.
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 the 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.
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.
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:
1.
Has legally lived in the country for
not less than five years continuously.
2.
Able to speak Kiswahili or English
fluently.
3.
Well behaved; that means does not
found engaging in criminal offenses.
4.
Make an oath denouncing his or her
previous citizenship.
5.
Promise to be a good citizen and to
be loyal to the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. These
conditions are also applicable to women married to Tanzanian citizens.
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.
Loss of
citizenship in Tanzania
In Tanzania one can lose citizenship
status on three grounds;
1.
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.
2.
If one denounces his/her Tanzanian
citizenship.
3.
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
citizen receives 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.
Activity 1
1. Ask your fellow students, what
type of citizenship they are?2 What type of your citizenship?
Citizenship Responsibilities
Responsibilities to Special Groups
Including HIV/AIDS Victims
