The notable leader in the fight against apartheid in South Africa was Nelson Mandela. Emerging as a pivotal figure in the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela dedicated his life to opposing the apartheid regime, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination. After being imprisoned for 27 years due to his activism, he became a global symbol of resistance. Following his release in 1990, Mandela played a crucial role in negotiating the end of apartheid, leading South Africa toward a democratic transition. Elected as the country’s first Black president in 1994, Mandela's leadership and vision for reconciliation profoundly shaped the nation’s future.