Nelson Mandela was the leader of the African National Congress (ANC) who fought against apartheid in South Africa. A symbol of the struggle for freedom and justice, Mandela spent 27 years imprisoned for his activism before his release in 1990. He became the face of the anti-apartheid movement and played a crucial role in negotiating the end of apartheid. In 1994, he became South Africa's first black president in the country's first multiracial elections, promoting reconciliation and nation-building. His leadership and commitment to equality earned him global recognition, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to dismantle apartheid and foster peace.