South Africa: The most beautiful constitution in the world?

I have heard countless times from Italian media, politicians and Italians in general “we have the most beautiful constitution in the world”. I’ve always disliked the remark. First, it would take a lot of work and time to go through the constitutions of all the countries in the world and make a beauty contest out of it, and I doubt anyone who made the remark has ever done so. Secondly, I am pretty sure that there are many democratic and free countries with solid pieces of work. It’s like saying that my mum is the most beautiful mum in the world. She definitely is, but in my family only.

But when I read the opening lines of the South African constitution I genuinely thought: this must be the best constitution ever.

It reads:
“We, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past, honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity”.

“The country belongs to those who live in it.” Isn’t it the most beautiful sentence a country can say?

Hoping that those are not just words, it is definitely a country I want to live in.

Sorry Mum.