Nelson Mandela is a famous South African leader known for his role in ending apartheid and promoting reconciliation in the country. Following years of activism against racial segregation policies, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. Upon his release in 1990, he worked tirelessly to dismantle the apartheid system. His leadership during the transition to a democratic South Africa was marked by an emphasis on unity and forgiveness rather than revenge. Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 and received global recognition for his contributions to peace and social justice, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.