Definition
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist. He spent 27 years in prison for fighting against racial segregation, becoming an international symbol of resistance and reconciliation. He served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, leading the transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. Think of him as an icon of peace and justice. His life story embodies courage and forgiveness.