The key figure in the abolition of apartheid in South Africa was Nelson Mandela. Imprisoned for 27 years due to his opposition to the racially discriminatory system, Mandela became a symbol of resistance against apartheid and injustice. Upon his release in 1990, he played a crucial role in the negotiations to dismantle apartheid, advocating for national reconciliation and peace. His leadership led to South Africa's first multiracial elections in 1994, in which he became the nation's first Black president. Mandela’s commitment to equality, forgiveness, and human rights made him an enduring global icon and a significant force in the fight against oppression.