The inauguration of the new parliament coincided with the Day of the African Child, which marks the day South African students were killed by the apartheid regime in 1976, after they protested the teaching of Afrikaans in schools.
It was a festive occasion, with scores of children gathering at the Harare International Conference Centre, as early as 8am, and were entertained by various performers and artists including Heritage School, journalist Nqobile Malinga, Jah Bless and Jah Prayzah.
Formal proceedings started with the arrival of Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara, but they did not sit on the high table, as they are accustomed to, as this was reserved for the child legislators.
Tendai Rusere was proclaimed the child president and led a procession by junior service chiefs.
A mock session of a parliamentary debate was held, and not before long Tsvangirai and Mutambara were captivated by the arguments and they joined in, to the amusement of the master of ceremony, who pointed out that there had been a breach of protocol.
The debate was centred on the theme of protecting, promoting and respecting the rights of children with disabilities.
The lively debate ended abruptly after the breach of protocol.
