6.1. Accreditation of Delegates In order to reduce congestion in Harare and based on past experiences, COPAC decentralized the accreditation of delegates to their provinces. Delegates were accredited on the 16th and 17th of October 2012. Both national and international observers, diplomats and members of the media were accredited on the 18th and 19th of October 2012 at the COPAC Head Offices in Harare. For these categories a maximum of two people were accredited per Mission or organization. A total of 1 247 delegates, 100 journalists, 92 observers and 52 diplomats were accredited. 6.2. Official Opening The opening session of the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference was officially opened by His Excellency, The President R. G. Mugabe, The Right Hon. Prime Minister M. R. Tsvangirayi and Deputy Prime Minister A. G. O. Mutambara. The Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Hon. E. T. Matinenga welcomed delegates while two Co-chairs of COPAC – Hon. M. P. Mangwana and Hon. D. T. Mwonzora gave an update of the constitution-making process and the terms of reference of the conference. The MDC formation of Hon Welshman Ncube boycotted the opening session in protest at the presence of Deputy Prime Minister A. Mutambara whom they did not recognise as a Principal following political processes in their party. Among the dignitaries who attended the official opening ceremony were: Vice President Joyce Mujuru, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Government, Governors, Diplomats and Members of Parliament. Notable foreign invitees at the Conference were the representatives of the Facilitator of the Global Political Agreement. Chiefs and Captains of industry and commerce also attended. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs was the Master of Ceremonies while music and entertainment were provided by Oliver Mutukudzi and the Prison Band. The full report on the proceedings of the second All Stakeholders Conference is also hereby tabled for the consideration of this Honourable House serve to say that the Conference report outlined the following: a) Areas where no changes were recommended to the Draft b) Areas where recommendations for change to the Draft were made (and not indicated whether agreed or disagreed ) c) Areas where recommendations or changes to the Draft were recommended and disagreed Under item (b), the Select Committee agreed on taking some recommendations proposed as well as dismissing others considered in appropriate. It is on areas covered under (c) that challenges on how to proceed arose. 50 The Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) Report to Parliament, February 2013