Nelson Mandela is celebrated for abolishing apartheid in South Africa. His lifelong struggle against the institutionalized racial segregation system was marked by imprisonment for 27 years, which galvanized international support for the anti-apartheid movement. Upon his release in 1990, Mandela played a crucial role in negotiating the end of apartheid and promoting reconciliation between the country's racial groups. As South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999, he implemented policies aimed at dismantling the legacy of racial inequality. Mandela's commitment to democracy, human rights, and social justice has made him a global icon of resilience and peace.