Concept of citizenship

There are four types of citizenship in Tanzania. These are:

Citizenship by birth

A person who is born in Tanzania by parents who are Tanzanian citizens is a citizen of Tanzania. This is citizenship by birth.

A sample of birth certificate issued in Tanzania

Citizenship by neutralization

Non-citizens who wish to become Tanzanian citizens can apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs for citizenship. After receiving the application, the Ministry of Home Affairs publishes a notice in the newspaper bearing the photograph and name of the applicant.

The notice informs the general public of the application and asks if anyone objects to the applicant being granted citizenship. If there are no objections, the application is accepted and the person is granted citizenship.

A person applying for citizenship in Tanzania must fulfill the following conditions:

1. He or she must be a person of good behavior
2. He or she must have lived in the country for at least five years
3. He or she must be 21 years or above
4. He or she must renounce his or her former citizenship

Citizenship by descent

This applies to:

1. A child who is born in Tanzania, and one of his or her parents is a citizen of Tanzania
2. A person who is born outside Tanzania and one of his or her parents is a citizen of Tanzania. However, such a person has to apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs for confirmation of citizenship

Citizenship by marriage

A foreign woman who marries a citizen of Tanzania may register for citizenship

It is important to be a citizen of a country. The advantages of being a citizen include the following:

1. It enables a person to exercise his or her legal rights in the country
2. It allows a person to participate in civic activities such as voting
3. It enables a person to get services which are granted to citizens only. Such services include freedom of education, scholarships and free medical services
4. A citizen has the right to participate in the political and economic activities of the country

Responsibilities are the things a person has to perform as a rule. A citizen has to do certain things in the country in which he or she is a citizen. These are called civic responsibilities or responsibilities of the citizen.

Civic responsibility is classified as follows:

Personal responsibilities

A good citizen is one who:

1. Takes care of himself or herself
2. Behaves in a civil or respectful manner
3. Considers the rights and interests of others
4. Supports the family
5. Accepts responsibility for his or her actions

Economic responsibilities

A good citizen is obliged to:

1. Pay taxes and other statutory payments to the government
2. Do lawful productive work
3. Participate in community development activities

Social responsibilities

A citizen must:

1. Protect his or her country from enemies
2. Promote fairness, equality and social justice
3. Respect the rights of fellow citizens
4. Obey the law of the country in order for everyone to live in peace and harmony

Political responsibilities

A citizen has a responsibility to:

1. Participate in the country's civic affairs such as attending political meetings
2. Take part in elections
3. Take part in building and consolidating democracy
4. Help to develop public policy
5. Advocate favorable policies and legislations
6. Acquire and use information in order to make decisions

Citizens casting votes

The following are results of fulfilling civic responsibilities:

1. The rate of crime is reduced because people are busy carrying out their duties
2. There is peace and harmony during political, social and economic activities
3. The rights of people are respected because people do not interfere with each other's rights. No citizen will enjoy his or her rights to the point of abusing the rights of other citizens. One's freedom ends when another citizen's freedom begins.