Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded that country's former Vice President Guy Scott, who died on Wednesday, a five-day period of national mourning.

The 82-year-old Zambian-born Guy Lindsay Scott was at some point the first and only white president of an independent African country.

It was in October while serving as vice president when Zambia's then head of state, Michael Sata, died in a London hospital.

He then took over as a transitional president until elections were held within 90 days after Sata's death.

That subsequent election ushered in Edgar Lungu in January 2015. 
Dr. Scott died on Wednesday afternoon at his private residence in the capital, Lusaka. 

Earlier, Scott served as minister of agriculture, fisheries and livestock under late President Fredrick Chiluba. 

President Hakainde Hichilema has since accorded Dr. Scott a state funeral in recognition of his distinguished professional and political contributions to the country. 

The five-day national mourning period runs from Thursday until Monday the 20th of July, when he will be interred at Memorial Park in the capital, Lusaka.

During this mourning period, all flags will fly half mast.

All programmes of an entertainment nature will have to be cancelled or postponed.

All broadcasting stations are required to only play dirges during their entertainment-free programming.