The famous leader of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa is Nelson Mandela. A prominent anti-apartheid revolutionary, Mandela became an iconic figure in the fight against racial segregation and oppression in South Africa. After spending 27 years in prison for his activism, he was released in 1990 amid growing internal and international pressure against the apartheid regime. Mandela played a crucial role in negotiations to dismantle apartheid and establish a multiracial democracy. In 1994, he became South Africa's first black president, symbolizing hope and reconciliation, and his legacy continues to inspire movements for justice worldwide.