Nelson Mandela was a key figure in South African politics and the fight against apartheid. As the leader of the African National Congress (ANC), he advocated for racial equality and social justice. Imprisoned for 27 years, Mandela became a symbol of resistance against oppression. After his release in 1990, he played a pivotal role in the peaceful transition from apartheid to a democratic South Africa, serving as the country's first black president from 1994 to 1999. His emphasis on reconciliation and nation-building significantly influenced global movements for human rights and social justice.