Civics Form One Notes – Our Nation
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INTRODUCTION TO CIVICS
Civiesis the study of human rights and responsibilities of citizens, the governance and
eavironmentin which our society is found
‘Therefore Civics can be discussed as a general study that speaks about everything surrounds
tnuman beings aswell s leadership system that govern people. It speaks of internal and external
ales of the tate including the history of human strugele as well as social, economic and
Political advancement and transformation in human history.
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING CIVICS,
1. Tounderstand human rights e.g. rights to life associate with worship.
2. Tounderstand duties and responsibilities of itizens
3. Toundersand environment in which we live in
4. Topromote peace and security in ou society
5. Tounderstand and up hod our culture
6. Toestablish good relationship and respect.
7. Tounderstand road safety for example causes of road accident and measures tbe taken in
preventing roud accident
OUR NATION
‘When two people of the opposite sex get together as husband and wife they form a family. A
family is social group of people who are closely related to eachother. A combination of various
families forms a Clan. A group of diferent clans form wibes who have the same Culture, History
and Language. The combination of various tribes makes up the population of a nation,
{A Nation can be defined as alarge group or community of people living in a defined geographical
area and sharing common history, culture and language under one government. Examples of
tations includeTancania, Japan, Zimbabwe, India and Uganda, A nation shouldbe recognized by
cser nations as a sovereign state andshould be fie to decide and implement its own policies. I
should not be pat of another nation nor should it be under the conto of another nation.
‘The Components of our Nation
‘To be abe to analyse the components that make up our nation
For any nation to be recognized as a nation it must have the following components: Sovereignty,
People, culture, boundaries and government
Sovereignty
‘The word “Sovercignty” comes from the Latin word “superanus”, which means “supreme”.
Therefore, Sovereignty refers tothe supreme power exercised by a nation to control all
individuals and associations within its territory.
Sovereignty can also be defined as the highest power which belongs to the people. National
sovereignty means that a nation is free to decide and implement its decisions without being
interfered with by any extemal forces ftom other nations. A nation should be able to run its
political, economic and social matters independently
Importance of National sovereignty
+ National sovereignty is important because it maintains good relations with ther nations through
promoting good foreign policies on matters concerning other nations,
+ Ithhelps maintain peace and security of a nation through execution of national laws, rules and
‘regulations to prevent civil wars and conflicts with other nations.
+ It brings about national stability and encourages investors to invest in a country because a
national is ftee to establish policies that will encourage local and foreign investors to invest in
the country.
+ Citizens are free from being dominated by other nations because of non-interference in the
control of the nation by other countries,
Hindrances to national sovereignty
‘+ Poverty. This isthe inability to afford basic needs like food, shelter and clothing which is the
‘main problem faced in many African countries whereby most are economically poor. This results
in African counties depending on developed countries for help through grants and aid which
create conditions that violate the sovereignty of some AMfican countries,
+ Civil wars. The fighting between ethnic groups within the same nation can affect the Freedom of
the nation because when the nation fails to maintain peace and security within the nation, United
‘Nations will intervene to protect human rights.
+ Natural hazards. Disasters such as floods, earthquakes and voleanic erruptions undermine the
economies of poor countries which in turn hinders national sovereignty since the government
cannot depend on its own capabilities and needs toask for assistance from other countries
through aid
Population
Population is the number of people living in a particular defined area. According to the 2010
population survey report, Tanzania has over 40 million people. More than 80% of Tanzania’s
population lives in rural areas. Tanzania mainland has over 125 ethnic groups. Kiswahili is the
common language and the largest population group is Bantu who occupy approximately two-
thirds of the country and are divided into many tribes. Within the population is where we can
find leaders, citizens and the army which protects the country and builds up a strong nation.
Boundaries
[National boundaries are the dividing lines between the area belonging to Tanzania and the area
belonging to her neighboring countries. Tanzania was formed on the 26th April 1964. On that
ay, Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to form thecountry currently known asTanzania. Our
country Tanzania covers a total area of 945,202 square kilometersand is bordered by man-made
and natural boundaries. Natural boundaries of Tanzania includethe Indian Ocean to the Fast,
‘Mount Kilimanjaro to the North, Ruvuma River to the South, Lake Nyasa tothe south west, and
Lake Victoria to the North and Lake Tanganyika tothe West.
‘Tanzania is bordered by cight nations, namely Kenya and Uganda to the North, Rwanda,
Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo to the West, Mozambique to the South, Malawi and
Zambia to the South West. The Indian Ocean borders Tanzanian’s Eastern side. The islands of
Zanzibar and Pemba lie along the coast of Tanzania Mainland
“Map of Tanzania showing the national boundaries.
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The Government
The government isan administrative organ ofthe stat. I consists of elected and selected groups
of people who are responsible for controling and maintaining the laws and orders of acount.
The state has thee organs which asist each other in alin its functions. These organs ae:
A The ExeeativeThe Executive is the min branch of the cestnal goverment
andcomprises of the president, the cabinet, civil servants and armed forces. The
Executive is responsible for administering various atvities ofthe government
b. Sudiciary. Thisorgan function to interpret the laws and make rulings over disputes inthe
state
Legislature isthe law making body of the state. It isthe state organ whose members are
lected to represent diferent constituencies. Some of them are appointed. Legislature is
also called parliament and is comprised of the President and the National Assembly. The
President is part ofthe parliament but not a member of the parliament. This is because the
president does not participate in parliamentary discussions but participates in the process
‘of making laws by signing the bills to become laws.
Culture
Refers to the customs and beliefs of a particular group of people. It also includes the people’s
‘way of life and social organization,
Exercise |
Answer the following questions
1. In your own words, explain what you understand by the term Nation and give five
‘examples ofthe nations you know apart from the examples given above.
2. Suggest five solutions to protect national sovereignty.
13. Draw the map of Tanzania and show its national boundaries.
4. Why isthe President ofthe United Republic of Tanzania said to be part of the parliament
‘but not the member of it inthe national assembly?
5. List five national components,
‘The National Symbols
‘Tanzania’s National Symbols
‘dentify Tanzania’s national symbols
‘What is a national symbol?
[A symbol is a sign that represents something. National symbols are signs which represent a
nation. These symbols are very important as they serve asa reminder of our nationhood to us and
to the rest of the world; they promote our culture and remind us about events that have taken
place in our nation, Tanzania has several symbols; these include tangible things like money, lags
and the coat of arms.as well asintangible things lke the national anthem and language.
The following are the major national symbols in Tanzania
1. The national flag
2. Presidential standard
The National flag is also symbol of the nationality and a symbol of Tanzania culture
Presidential standard
‘The presidential standard is a flag whichis used during offical ceremonies where the president
isin atendance. Icha a green background with a blue andthe cot of arms inthe middle. The
coat of arms onthe presidental standard has no erops, human figure or the peak of Mount
Kilimanjaro
The Presidential standard
The coat of arms
‘The coat of arms is an oficial sel or stamp ofthe government which comprises diferent colors
and landmarks of Tanzania, I act as national badge and, therefore, all government publications
bear this oficial seal. Our coat of arms has twelve components. These components represent
‘arious national interests such as state power, economic bases national culture and history
Composition ofthe oat of arms
The coat of ams comprises ofthe following things
1. ‘Two human figures ~The man and the woman represent the people of Tanzania. The
{wo figures also symbolize the need for cooperation between men and women inorder
tying about development
2. ‘Two elephant tusks — These represent our national heritage in terms of wildlife.
‘Tanzania has beatifl national parks and game reserves in which different animals and
plants are found in their natural habitats.
3. Shield and spears – ‘They represent weapons that were used by Tanzanian to resist
colonialism. These weapons represent the readiness of the people to defend their
Independence
4. Golden band on the upper part ofthe shield – This represent the mineral wealth ofthe
country
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National currency
[s the system of money tht a country uses, Our national currency is the Tanzanian shilling
Currency is also called money. Money is used for measuring valu, trading and paying for goods
and services in a country. Tanzania money is the form of notes and coins
Importance of national curtency
‘4 It acts as a medium of exchange in trade transactions that is selling and buying of goods
and services in the country
1. It is used to measure value and identity the nationality and freedom of nation
Its the means of settling debs,
National Language
“This is the language spoken by all the people within a country. The national language of
Tanzania is Kiswahili,
Importance ofthe national language
‘4. The national language acts as the media of communication within a county
. It symbolizes the culture of the nation concemed which is Tanzania
. Itunifies people with a common history.
4. It also identifies the country internationally
‘The National Constitution
‘A national constitution i the system of laws and principles by which the nation is governed by.
‘A constitution provides guidelines which society must follow. Our country Tanzania is ruled
according to the constitution that was enacted 1977. Since that time year, it has been undergoing
some amendments to suit the contemporary needs,
Importance ofthe national constitution
‘4 The government rules by the will ofthe people through the constitution
’b. The constitution isthe basic law from which all other laws are created.
«© Under constitution there is separation of power between the executive, the legislature and
the judiciary.
4. The constitution provides for elections through which the people elect their
representatives inthe government
‘e.The constitution gives people the freedom to enjoy their right,
£ The constitution provides individuals with the mechanism to claim their rights before the
courts of lw.
‘The cover ofthe constitution of Tanzania 1977
le
‘Tanzania’s National Festivals and their Significance
‘Identify Tanzania’s national festivals and their significance
‘National festival are special public days created by the state which exempt people from doing
any government or official work and therefore people are expected to rest In Tanzania these
ays are called Public holidays,
Types of national days
Religious public days
‘These days are marked by special religious events or festivals according tothe beliefs and faith
of particular group of people. In Tanzania there are wo dominant religious, namely Christianity
and Islamic. The public holidays associated with these religious are;
‘4. Chuistmas day – falls on 25th December each year
Easter holiday ~ depends on Christian calendar
Eid-el-Fitr and Eid -el-Haj ~ Depend on Islamic calendar and sighting ofthe moon
4. Boxing day — Falls on 26th December each year
Political public holidays,
‘These are special days that commemorate events which have profound meaning politically
Sometimes they are known as civic national festivals and holidays Political public holidays in
Tanzania are;
1L_ Independence day —flls on December Mth each year
2. Union day fll on 26th April each year
13. NaneNane day — Falls on Sth August each year
4. Zanzibar Revolution Day — falls on 12th January each year
‘5. Nyerere Day ~ fills on 14th October each year
6. Karume Day ~ falls on 7th April each year
7. ‘Sabasaba Day ~ falls on 7th July each year
Universal public days
‘These are special days forthe rest and celebration forall people in the world. These universal
holidays are;
|New Year falls on Ist January each year
2. Workers day/ labour day ~ falls on Ist May each year
Importance of national festivals! public days
The followings are the Importance of national festivals/ public days;
These days mark important events in our country
‘b. The celebration keep the history alive since Tanzania are reminded of what has taken
place in their country
«During these events leaders pass important information tothe public
4. Public celebration provides an opportunity for citizens to meet and share views,
experience and knowledge.
fe. Celebrating together enhance the unity of Tanzanians.
£ Annual celebrations impart on Tanzanians the culture of commemorating important
national events,
‘& These events helps the leaders to identify problems inthe society as citizens highlight
ther problems through speeches, posters, drama or songs.
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions
+ With examples mention three types of national festivals in Tanzania
‘+ When do farmers and traders exhibit their agriculture products, implements and machinery?
+ What are the importance of national constitution?
+ Mention any five compositions ofthe coat of arms and explain what each component represent.
‘+ Name various occasions you know where the national
‘anthem is always sung,