The first President of South Africa is Nelson Mandela. He served as President from 1994 to 1999, following the end of apartheid and the first democratic elections in the country. Mandela was a key figure in the struggle against apartheid, advocating for equality and social justice. His leadership and commitment to reconciliation helped to unite a divided nation. Mandela’s presidency marked a significant turning point in South African history, as he worked towards dismantling the institutionalized racism that had oppressed non-white citizens for decades. He remains an iconic global symbol of peace and resistance.