Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918–2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. A leader of the African National Congress, he was imprisoned for 27 years for his activism against apartheid. After his release he led negotiations to dismantle apartheid, oversaw the transition to majority rule, and promoted reconciliation. He received numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.