Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a social rights activist, politician and philanthropist who became South Africa’s first black president from 1994 to 1999.
After becoming involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his 20s, Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1942.
He directed a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the South African government and its racist policies. 
Beginning in 1962, Mandela spent 27 years in prison for political offenses.
Mandela has been a source of inspiration for civil rights activists worldwide.