Nelson Mandela was a pivotal figure in South Africa's struggle against apartheid, the institutionalized racial segregation system that oppressed non-white citizens. He became a prominent leader in the African National Congress (ANC) and was instrumental in anti-apartheid activism. After spending 27 years in prison, Mandela emerged as a unifying figure, advocating for reconciliation rather than revenge. He played a crucial role in negotiations that led to the end of apartheid and the establishment of multiracial elections. Elected as South Africa's first black president in 1994, Mandela focused on national healing, social justice, and building a nation based on equality and democracy.