Nelson Mandela was a key leader of the African National Congress (ANC) in its fight against apartheid in South Africa. His activism, including imprisonment, symbolize the struggle for racial equality. Mandela's leadership helped to unite various factions within the ANC and gain international support. Ultimately, his efforts played a significant role in dismantling apartheid and fostering a new democratic South Africa, culminating in his election as the first black president in 1994.