Zambia became the first African country to appoint a white head of state since the end of apartheid yesterday after president Michael Sata died in hospital in London.

He is succeeded by Vice-President Guy Scott, who will be acting president until elections are held within 90 days.

Mr Sata had been a political figure in Zambia since independence in 1964 and was a member of every major political party at some point, but only became president in 2011.

In office he abandoned his previous opposition to Chinese investment, though he called on all foreign employers to improve working conditions for their staff in the country.

He was also an outspoken fan of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, accusing the latter’s critics of being “capitalist roaders” in 2006.

Mr Scott has said he has no presidential ambitions. It is not clear who Mr Sata’s Patriotic Front will pick as a candidate for election.