The key leader during the South African anti-apartheid movement was Nelson Mandela. He became a symbol of resistance against the apartheid regime, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination against non-white South Africans. Mandela initially engaged in peaceful protests and later co-founded the African National Congress's armed wing. After spending 27 years in prison, his release in 1990 marked a significant turning point in the struggle against apartheid. Mandela's leadership and commitment to reconciliation led to the dismantling of apartheid laws and a transition toward democracy, culminating in his election as South Africa’s first black president in 1994.