Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activities before being released in 1990. He played a crucial role in ending apartheid and fostering reconciliation in South Africa. Mandela's efforts to promote peace, equality, and justice earned him widespread admiration and led to him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He remains a symbol of resilience, forgiveness, and the struggle for human rights around the world.