Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) served as the first black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Born in the village of Mvezo, Mandela played a crucial role in the struggle against apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation. In 1962, he was arrested and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for his activities with the African National Congress (ANC). He spent 27 years in prison, primarily on Robben Island. Mandela's release in 1990 marked a turning point in South Africa's history. He led negotiations to dismantle apartheid and establish multiracial elections. In 1993, he received the Nobel Peace Prize alongside then-President F.W. de Klerk for their efforts to end apartheid. Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom," published in 1994, provides a detailed account of his life and struggles.