Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918-2013) was a revolutionary anti-apartheid leader and the first Black president of South Africa. He is celebrated for his role in ending the apartheid regime and establishing a multiracial democracy in South Africa. He was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa. Mandela studied law at the University of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand. In 1944, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and became a key figure in the fight against apartheid. His activism led to his imprisonment for 27 years, from 1962 to 1990, during which he became a global symbol of resistance to racial oppression. Upon his release, Mandela led negotiations to dismantle apartheid and establish democratic elections. In 1994, he was elected as South Africa's first Black president, serving until 1999. Mandela and then President F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their efforts to end apartheid peacefully. Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013. His legacy as a champion for justice, equality, and human rights endures.