Section 35: Zimbabwean citizenship
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) Persons are Zimbabwean citizens by birth, descent or registration.
(2) All Zimbabwean citizens are equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship and are equally subject to the duties and obligations of citizenship.
(3) All Zimbabwean citizens are entitled to the following rights and benefits, in addition to any others granted to them by law—
(a) to the protection of the State wherever they may be;
(b) to passports and other travel documents; and
(c) to birth certificates and other identity documents issued by the State.
(4) Zimbabwean citizens have the following duties, in addition to any others imposed upon them by law—
(a) to be loyal to Zimbabwe;
(b) to observe this Constitution and to respect its ideals and institutions;
(c) to respect the national flag and the national anthem; and
(d) to the best of their ability, to defend Zimbabwe and its sovereignty.
Key Insight: Equal Citizenship with Balanced Rights and Responsibilities
This section establishes a fundamental principle of equality among all Zimbabwean citizens regardless of how citizenship was acquired. It creates a balanced citizenship framework where the state's obligations to protect and provide identity to citizens are matched with citizens' responsibilities to maintain loyalty and respect for national symbols and institutions. This reciprocal relationship forms the foundation of the citizen-state contract in Zimbabwe.