Guy Scott, a prominent Zambian politician who briefly held the position of acting president, becoming Africa's first white head of state in more than two decades, has died. He was 82.
Scott, who had Scottish and English heritage, died at his farm in the capital city of Lusaka, according to a statement from the Zambian government. Current President Hakainde Hichilema has declared that Scott will be accorded a state funeral, though the date has not yet been announced.
Scott's period as acting president occurred in 2014, following the death of President Michael Sata, who died while in office. Scott served for three months during this transitional period. His ascension to the interim leadership made him the first white individual to hold such a high office in Africa since F.W. de Klerk, the last leader during South Africa's apartheid era. De Klerk left office in 1994 after the nation's first multiracial elections brought Nelson Mandela to power.
Scott's political career in Zambia began in 1991 when he was first elected to Parliament. He later served as the minister of agriculture, food and fisheries. In 2011, he was appointed vice president, marking him as the first white vice president of Zambia since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1964. His subsequent role as acting president further solidified his historic position in African politics.