Nelson Mandela is widely recognized as the key figure responsible for ending apartheid in South Africa. His relentless activism began in the African National Congress (ANC), where he fought against racial discrimination and segregation enforced by the apartheid regime. After spending 27 years in prison, Mandela emerged as a symbol of the struggle for social justice. In 1994, he became the first black president of South Africa following the establishment of a democratic government. Mandela's leadership and dedication to reconciliation helped to dismantle apartheid and foster a new era of equality and human rights in South Africa.