The influential figure who championed the abolition of apartheid in South Africa was Nelson Mandela. A key leader of the African National Congress (ANC), Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years due to his opposition to the apartheid regime, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination. Upon his release in 1990, Mandela became a symbol of resistance and reconciliation. He spearheaded negotiations to dismantle apartheid and establish a multiracial democracy. In 1994, Mandela became South Africa's first black president. His leadership and dedication to peace and equality earned him international acclaim and a lasting legacy as a champion for human rights.