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Zambia’s former Vice President Guy Scott, who made history in 2014 as Africa’s first white head of state in two decades, has passed away at the age of 82, the government confirmed on Wednesday .
Scott died at his farm in Lusaka’s Leopards Hill area following an illness, according to an official statement .
He served as vice president under former President Michael Sata from 2011 to 2014 and briefly assumed the role of acting president after Sata’s death in October 2014, holding office until January 2015 .
Historic Acting Presidency
His short tenure marked the first time in two decades that a white leader headed an African nation, following the end of South Africa’s FW de Klerk presidency in 1994 . Born in Zambia to Scottish parents, Scott was a Cambridge-educated economist .
However, he was barred from contesting the following presidential election due to constitutional requirements that both parents of a presidential candidate must have been born in Zambia .
State Funeral Granted
The government said President Hakainde Hichilema has granted Scott a state funeral in recognition of his public service .
Scott’s political career began before independence when he joined the United National Independence Party (UNIP) at 17. He was a leading figure in the pro-democracy movement in the 1990s and served as agriculture minister in the 1990s . He was also known for his role in promoting free markets and pro-business reforms .
Tributes Pour In
President Hichilema expressed deep sadness at Scott’s passing, describing him as a “patriot and a trailblazer who dedicated his life to serving the Zambian people” . Former President Edgar Lungu called him “a loyal friend and formidable politician” . The US embassy praised Scott as a “champion of democracy and good governance” .
