What can I do for my country? Reflection on citizenship in S.A.

Citizenship forms the relationship between the state and its citizens. It is important that this relationship is healthy so that there can be progress. Citizens should be taught about their rights and responsibilities. It is important that rights and responsibilities are on par. Neither of the two should be emphasized more than the other. Responsibilities include both duties and obligations. Duties entail those responsibilities that are enforceable by the law and carry sanctions. Obligations are those responsibilities that are imposed on citizens by their morality. They are thus voluntary in nature. If young people are taught good citizenship at an early age they will develop the morality to carry out their obligation to the state voluntarily. This will lead to a healthy functioning of the state because citizens will be acting voluntarily in carrying out their obligations to their state.