•PRESIDENT Michael Sata inspects a guard of honour at Parliament grounds in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by STEPHEN KAPAMBWE.

By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –
THE ceremonial opening of the fourth session of the eleventh National Assembly by President Michael Sata yesterday was characterised by impressive series of events which included music and dance by cultural groups and the Zambia Army brass band.
President Sata’s motorcade accompanied by mounted escort entered the Parliament grounds around 10:25 hours in a colourful spectacle.
The President clad in a grey suit, accompanied by first lady Dr Christine Kaseba dressed in an immaculate light blue suit, was welcomed by service chiefs and immediately proceeded to the dais where he was accorded a presidential salute.
One his way to the dais, President Sata waved and displayed the Patriotic Front (PF) symbol to PF cadres who were at Parliament to offer solidarity.
President Sata was accorded a 21 gun salute by the salute troupe of the Zambia Artillery, with a fly past by the Zambia Air force.
He later inspected a guard of honour, before being received by the speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini as he ceremoniously escorted him into the main entrance of the Parliament building with the usual traditional music in the background.
Earlier, newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling PF, United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) took oath in the House following their victories in the recently held by-elections.
The first one to take oath was PF’s Mkushi South MP Davis Chisopa, followed by United Party for National Development (UPND) Solwezi Central MP Dawson Kafwaya.
PF Mangango constituency MP Lyambai Lingweshi was followed by PF Zambezi West MP Christabel Ngimbu, Vubwi’s Margaret Miti and later MMD Kasenegwa MP Victoria Kalima.