Citizenship

Citizenship is the act of belonging to certain state, nation, group or tribe. A South African citizen, is a person who belongs the Republic of South Africa, furthermore, a KOVSIE is a student who belongs, and is a citizen of the University of the Free State.
Roles of a citizen in building a democratic society
• Patriotism
• Participation in nation building activities
• Participation in state elections
• Social Integration
• Attention to rights and responsibilities
Patriotism is the first and far most important act of citizenship, it is the love and honour of one’s country, it is a responsibility we must all incorporate, and we all have a purpose, role and significance in this South Africa, regardless of the problems the land is experiencing. A patriotic citizen has the true understanding that, for this democratic society to become better, it needs constant caring and contribution. People expect a country to change but do nothing to meet that change, which is why patriotism is a true instrument of transformation, with it, less people will emigrate, fewer fingers will be pointed, and problems will be solved much faster due to the will-power presented by the citizens.
Nation building is very broad, it can be in the field of sports, media, charity-work, culture, business, Christianity, and many more. The whole point of this phenomenon, is to build and unite the nation through certain public activities that need the participation of everyone involved, hence the name ”nation” building, everyone’s participation counts. The best example to enforce the picture in one’s mind is the 2008 Rugby World Cup, the build-up to the Final rather. The Springboks were one of the favourites to make it to final from the onset, with their winning-streak, they continued to influence national pride and attract the attention of every citizen, even those who know nothing about rugby. This continued along the build, until the final: South Africa vs. England, excitement spread like a disease amongst the people, black or white, rich or poor, ANC or DA, every one, supporting one team, in the streets, pubs, homes, classes, our blood was green and gold, all of us, it was phenomenal, the country came to a halt, because we settled our differences, and all focused on what we all had in common, although diverse, we had common ground, and we were successful. So it is our responsibility to take part in such, the whole nation needs it.
State elections define the eventual state of this democratic society, because voting is one of the most important responsibilities of every single citizen who is of age in this country, and failure to do so is failure to choose the leadership that you would prefer to serve you, and it entails losing the right to complain if you’re not satisfied. It is therefore very much important that every citizen casts their votes, in the ballot box; to elect proper leadership a nation needs, thus enforcing the pillars that strengthen a democratic society.
The lack of Social integration in South Africa is the mere reason why there is continuous tension amongst the races in the country, the 16 year-old foundation of national unity, is obviously not strong enough, hence it is very easy to cause havoc. A very simple racial comment, causes national distress, throwing the nation right back to the beginning to try and build, and integrate the people once again. As a citizen of a young rainbow nation, it is in each and every one of our responsibility, to stand for truth, and advise our own kind not rebel and protest, but to overlook our racial differences and state that the country will never grow if we keep fighting amongst each other, but let us rather focus on the positive, the common ground that unites us, and build a brighter future for the coming generation that will not consider skin colour or bank balances, but rather, the content of one’s character.
Rights and responsibilities are an inseparable pair of obligations for a citizen in a democratic society that is practiced hand-in-hand; one cannot exist without the other. It is said:”With great power, comes great responsibility”, which is true, because tagged along with every right that a citizen practices, is a responsibility. Many south Africans have not come to understand this relationship (rights equals responsibilities), they only take note of one side of the equation, their rights, and tend to neglect the responsibilities thereof. Citizens reiterate their rights, and do the direct opposite. Peoples reaction to this is very ironic because:
• People complain about unemployment and foreigners taking their jobs, but many fail to make their own jobs, or partake in volunteering posts,
• People demand, and protest for increases in wages and salaries, with questionable loyalty to the business
• People complain about the litter around public areas, but many are unable to pick papers up in public,
• People complain about crime, but many fail to report crimes in progress
• People complain about racism, but many fail to teach their children never to discriminate other against in spite of history,
• People complain about water and electricity, but fail to obey simple water-saving methods, and pleads from ESKOM for people to turn off their geysers and unnecessary lights in households,
• People complain about the failure of the ruling party, but continue vote for it.
It therefore is a great responsibility for every citizen to know their rights, and exercise their responsibilities while they are at it, to ensure the proper construction of a fair and accountable democratic society.