The first president of South Africa after apartheid was Nelson Mandela. Elected in 1994, he was the first black president in the country’s history and the first president chosen through a fully representative democratic election. Mandela is renowned for his efforts to dismantle the institutionalized racial segregation of apartheid and for promoting reconciliation among the country’s diverse population. His presidency focused on nation-building, fostering peace and stability, and addressing socio-economic inequalities. Mandela's legacy as an anti-apartheid revolutionary and his commitment to human rights and freedom have made him an enduring symbol of the struggle for justice worldwide.