Nelson Mandela, the South African activist and former president helped bring an end to apartheid and has been a global advocate for human! rights. A member of the African National Congress party in the 1940s, he was a leader of both peaceful protests and armed resistance against the white minority's oppressive regime in a racially divided South Africa. His actions landed in prison for nearly three decades and made him the face of the anti- apartheid movement. Released in 1990, he participated in the eradication of apartheid and in 1994 became the first black president of South Africa. After retiring from politics In 1999, he remained a devoted champion for peace and I social justice. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.,
