He has been called "a scaly old dude" by George W Bush and derided as a "sick old man" by Zambia's opposition, but today Guy Scott assumed another title: Africa's only white president.
The Cambridge-educated economist became vice-president of Zambia when Michael Sata won power in September 2011.
The pair were old political allies and firm friends. Despite there being only 40,000 whites among Zambia's 13 million people, there was little surprise over Mr Sata's decision to appoint a white deputy - even though this raised the possiblity of a white man becoming head of state, as indeed happened.
Mr Scott, a father-of-four, is genuinely popular, widely credited with rescuing Zambia from a food crisis caused by a drought when he was agriculture minister in the 1990s.
Nonetheless, Mr Scott conceded that his election on Mr Sata's ticket was not universally applauded. Opponents have cited his heritage as a reason why he should not hold high office in a former British Protectorate which won independence 50 years ago.
The Cambridge-educated economist became vice-president of Zambia when Michael Sata won power in September 2011.
The pair were old political allies and firm friends. Despite there being only 40,000 whites among Zambia's 13 million people, there was little surprise over Mr Sata's decision to appoint a white deputy - even though this raised the possiblity of a white man becoming head of state, as indeed happened.
Mr Scott, a father-of-four, is genuinely popular, widely credited with rescuing Zambia from a food crisis caused by a drought when he was agriculture minister in the 1990s.
Nonetheless, Mr Scott conceded that his election on Mr Sata's ticket was not universally applauded. Opponents have cited his heritage as a reason why he should not hold high office in a former British Protectorate which won independence 50 years ago.