Nelson Mandela was the prominent leader of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. His tireless activism against racial segregation and injustice earned him both national and international recognition. Initially involved in peaceful protests, Mandela later co-founded the African National Congress's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, advocating for armed resistance against the oppressive apartheid regime. After years of imprisonment, he emerged as a symbol of resistance and reconciliation, ultimately becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994. Mandela's leadership and commitment to democracy and equality significantly shaped the country's transition from apartheid to a more inclusive society.