Every justice system keeps a ledger. Courts publish how many cases came in, how many went out and how long the queue between the two has grown. Legal aid schemes count matters opened and matters closed. Law firms count hours, and matters won. When we argue about whether the law is working, these are the columns we read.

Today is Workers' Day. The holiday commemorates a particular labour history – the strikes, the unions, the long argument about who counts as a worker and what work earns. By accident of the calendar, it also sits close to a question I want to raise. What kind of document is a constitution that writes a labour world the country had never had?

This most critical ingredient to any future is the role of hope. This is particularly important for a continent marred by colonialism and conflict. The spirit of Africa needs to rediscover its abilities to believe and overcome. Without optimism, none of the industries or other ideas will bloom.